UH's Kai on 'Heisman' watch list for soccer
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i junior forward Natasha Kai has been named to the watch list of the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy for college soccer players.
"Cool," said Kai, when informed of the news yesterday. "It's good."
Kai
Kai, the reigning two-time Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, was recently tabbed as this season's WAC preseason Player of the Year.
Kai, the first player from UH to be named to the watch list, led the nation in scoring with 29 goals last season, and was a third-team Soccer Buzz All-American.
She is one of 25 players selected to the watch list of the Hermann Trophy, given to the top female player in NCAA Division I soccer.
The list will be narrowed to 15 in November. The three finalists will be announced in early December, and the winner will be announced at a dinner at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis, Mo., on Jan. 8.
UH starts its season today with two-a-day practices. The Rainbow Wahine open their regular season against Saint Mary's in the Ohana Hotels & Resorts No Ka Oi Tournament, Aug. 27 at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
Kai said she is excited to return to her Hawai'i teammates after spending the summer with the U.S. Women's Under-21 National Team, which she led in scoring with 12 goals.
"I just feel like I'm ready to come into this season," she said. "I've been playing all summer, and it is going to be good, hopefully."
Eight of her U-21 teammates, who helped the U.S. capture its sixth straight Nordic Cup title last month, are also on the watch list.
"It brings some pressure because I have to work hard to maintain it," Kai said. "But I'm not going to let the pressure get to me. I'm still going to work hard.
"It's cool to get these awards, but at the same time you can't let it get to you, because you'd be putting your pride before the team and that's the last thing you need to do."
Kai said one thing she likes about the recognition is that it brings attention to Hawai'i's soccer program.
"It's going to open doors, and that's what I'm all about," she said. "It's for the team. I want to make a name for the team and Hawai'i itself."
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
