Hawai'i girls capture national championship

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Real Hawai'i Futbol Club Copa '92 girls captured the national title in the under-12 premier division yesterday at the U.S. Club Soccer National Championships in Cary, N.C.

Copa '92, Hawai'i's first national champion in this organization, won by earning the most points in its age group, which competed in round-robin play. Copa '92 had one win and two ties for five points, edging a team from Washington, D.C., which scored four points.

U.S. Club Soccer is a newer and growing soccer organization, similar to the highly competitive U.S. Youth Soccer Association.

The Mililani Soccer Club under-13 boys team also participated in the U.S. Club Soccer National Championship. The Honolulu Soccer Club Bulls '85 boys are playing in the USYSA national championship game today.

All three won regional tournaments to qualify for the nationals.

Mililani Middle School student Mari Miyashiro scored all three goals in the tournament for Copa '92, including a first-half goal in yesterday's 1-1 tie against Georgia.

"We worked well as a team and we didn't give up," Miyashiro, 12, said in a phone interview from North Carolina. "We were kind of nervous."

Because Copa '92 was the only team without a loss, and because the teams in its age group played to a tie in an earlier game, Copa '92 knew it captured the tournament before it played yesterday's game.

"I guess the soccer gods were on our side," Copa '92 coach Lisa Nakagawa said. "It didn't matter if we won, lost or tied, because head-to-head we pulled it out."

The Hawai'i team defeated Washington, D.C., 2-0, on Thursday and tied Chicago, 0-0, Friday.

"They were big and pushy," Miyashiro said. "Some of us were a little quicker."

"The competition is unbelievable," Nakagawa said.

Copa '92 also won tournaments last year in Minnesota, the Schwan USA Cup and the Tony Cup.

"With this glory, it makes them want it even more, they don't take it for granted," Nakagawa said. "They make sacrifices but we make sure they're happy about it."

One thing sure to make the players happy now that the tournament is over: "They get to eat all the junk food they want," Nakagawa said.

Miyashiro's choice? "Ice cream!"

Copa '92 roster: Dayna Akiu, Mari Carmichael, Lei Ann Chun, Ashley Deguchi, Lauren Fukuyama, Ashley Ann Haruki, Sophia Hollis, Kylie Ann Kanda, Melody Lee, Karli Look, Rachel Marumoto, Koala Matsuoka, Chelsea Miyake, Mari Miyashiro, Michelle Nakasone, Erika Nana, Erin Park, Kearston Sego. Head coach: Lisa Nakagawa. Assistant coaches: Steve Miyashiro, Leland Look. Team manager: Lorene Park. Club director: Sean Richardson.

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