Now in its 18th year, the league has evolved into the premier coed soccer league on O'ahu with eight teams and about 200 players, according to Sergio Bolioli, the interim coed league president.

Games are played year-round at Ala Wai field and prospective players are encouraged to register online at the islandsoccer.com Web site, Bolioli said.

"For people who are still very competitive, it allows you a venue to play against some of the great soccer players in Hawai'i," said player Jennifer Higa. "You have an opportunity to better yourself."

Higa, a Hawai'i Youth Soccer Association (HYSA) Bulls coach and former University of Vermont player, has played in the coed league for about two years, and said the competition is top notch with professionals such as David Trifonovitch and several former University of Hawai'i women players, including Jennifer Churchill and Dawn Dasher.

"You're in an environment where there's people who are sometimes 10 times better," said the 26-year-old Higa. "When you play against people like that, you have to step it up a little."

Like any soccer league, coed players must endure some bumps and bruises from opponents, but rules prohibit extremely rough play.

"I know some women might be a little timid to play in a coed league," player Lindsey Peck said. "They have rules like guys can't slide tackle girls. It's pretty safe."

Peck, a sophomore who plays at Missouri Valley College, said she enjoys matching her skills against the men. She is one of many coed women players who compete in the Women's Island Soccer Association of Hawai'i.

"I think it makes me a better player playing with the guys," said the 19-year-old Peck. "They're faster, quicker."

Mark Webster, 49, said the league is beneficial for both men and women.

Webster said the women players have dramatically improved their game since he began playing coed in the late 1980s.

"Some of the good female soccer players can hold their own," Webster said. "They could play on some of the men's teams. The quality of their game has just soared."

To play in the league, women must be at least 18 years old, while men must be 35 or older. In the league, it's not uncommon to have some players in their 50s and 60s matched with someone just out of high school.

"Some of the men might be quite a bit older," Webster said. "A handful of guys are in their 60s. There's some female players who are in their 50s. You got to give those guys a lot of credit because they're still out there."

After games, the fun starts again because many players will hang around the field to share stories and good times.

"I think if you ask any team, they'll say that they enjoy playing because of the people who are on their team," Higa said. "A lot of times, certain teams will still be there after the second game and they'll talk story and eat. They enjoy each other's company. It's that camaraderie and fellowship that they enjoy."