Posted on: Friday, July 16, 2004

UH's Kai joins U.S. team for Nordic Cup

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i soccer forward Natasha Kai left yesterday for what could be her last stint with the U.S. Under-21 National Team.

Kai will meet the team in New Jersey for training after being named to the 18-person roster for the Nordic Cup, the unofficial World Cup of the age group.

Kai, a two-time Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, isn't intimidated by her first international tournament with players her age.

"To me, it's all the same, we're playing soccer," said Kai, who is leading the U-21 National team in scoring, with seven goals in eight games.

The United States has won six of the past seven Nordic Cups, including five straight. The prestigious competition will be held in Iceland from July 23 to 29. The United States will play Norway, Germany and Finland.

"We know it is pretty big, and we have to defend our title," Kai said. "At the same time, we just have to play our game."

After this tournament, the 21-year-old Kai has two options with the national team program: She can try for the full national team, or qualify as one of four over-age players the U-21 team is permitted.

"If I do well, it opens doors," she said. "If it's meant to be, it's meant to be."

At the very least it will be Kai's last time with the team this year, because the college season begins next month. But her advancement in the program is already an amazing achievement.

"If you think about the path that most of the these kids have taken to get here, hers is most different," U-21 coach Chris Petrucelli said. "She had no international experience, and a few months after trying out she is on the team. Not only is she on the team, but she's the leading scorer.

"She showed up out of nowhere and she did well right away. It's a hard group to break into physically, as well as socially, and she's had no problems."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.