Even with one of the nation's top scoring threats, the focus of this year's University of Hawai'i women's soccer team will be on defense.

With defenders capable of controlling the ball this season, head coach Pinsoom Tenzing decided to change the formation and style of play to use their abilities to the team's advantage.

And with preseason Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Natasha Kai to provide the fire power up top, Tenzing is confident.

The Rainbow Wahine will test it out in their season opener against George Mason tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the OHANA Hotels and Resorts No Ka Oi Tournament at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium. Hawai'i plays Brigham Young on Monday at 5 p.m. BYU and George Mason play Saturday at 7 p.m.

"If I were to point out one strong, strong point in the team, it is the passing of the fullbacks," Tenzing said.

The revamped defense — last year all three starting defenders graduated, and this year Tenzing will start four in the back — has led to a shift in the offense.

In the past, Hawai'i had to play with a more direct style, sending long balls up to speedy forwards who chased them down and created their opportunities. This season, a more possession-oriented offense will focus on keeping the ball on the ground and using the flanks as a more viable option.

Hawai'i will continue to use four midfielders, but this year has implemented an "organizing midfielder," most likely to be played by sophomore Jessica Domingo, a preseason all-WAC pick.

Here's a look at Hawai'i, position by position:

FORWARDS

Senior Natasha Kai is the most decorated soccer player in Rainbow Wahine history. A two-time WAC Player of the Year and third-team All-American, she led the nation in scoring (29 goals) as a sophomore.

Hawai'i returns the scorers of 23 of its 27 goals last year, including Kai (12), her younger sister Krisha Kai (2), and sophomores Koren Takeyama (4) and Gabrielle Bohlman (3).

With newcomers Taryn Fukuroku and Aimee Cohen, Tenzing is looking to his forwards to act as a cohesive unit, patrolling the field together.

"I'm hoping to see the two strikers playing together, rather than careening off all over the place," he said. "Hopefully they'll be constantly dangerous in front of the goal, that's what we're hoping to accomplish."

MIDFIELDERS

According to the roster, 11 midfielders will be fighting for four positions.

"We again have a tremendous amount of depth, there are any number of kids who can play," Tenzing said.

Three have pretty much locked down spots: Domingo, senior Natalie Groenewoud, and sophomore transfer Aimee Watanabe.

Tenzing said Domingo, "makes everything tick, lots of the attack starts with her. Her her angle of pass is 360 degrees, she uses everybody. Her timing is exquisite."

Groenewoud, who returns this season after redshirting last year due to an ankle sprain, has patrolled the right side for two of her three years. She is slightly hampered by a leg injury, and isn't "in full flight," according to Tenzing.

Watanabe has been the "surprise guest," of preseason training camp.

"She's very savvy on the ball, and she's extremely coachable," Tenzing said. "She's very good on the ball, very fit. For her first year in the program, I can't ask for anything more."

Another transfer, junior Adria Campbell, an all-WAC pick at Southern Methodist last season, is "a really finished soccer player in terms of comfort on the ball," Tenzing said. She, along with Bohlman, will be playing double-duty as a forward and midfielder.

Tenzing is looking for his midfielders to control the ball in the middle of the field, giving his defenders time to attack on the flanks. He wants to play a "numbers-up" game in the middle of the field, playing "good keep-away soccer."

Senior Kimi Tiampo, who is injured, and newcomers Elizabeth Brauher, Kelli Anne Chang, Liza Amaya, Alexis Choi, and Kristen Oshiro are also chasing playing time. Freshman Tobi Kanehira is injured.

One of Hawai'i's biggest losses so far this season is senior co-captain Seline Williams, who sprained her left knee and is out indefinitely.

"It's a big loss. She's a captain and a huge inspiration for the younger ones. She's a terrific, endearing one," Tenzing said.

DEFENDERS

"They are going to fly off the handle, that's the general plan," Tenzing said. "We spent the entire preseason camp working on defense, and I'm happy with how things have turned out. I'm really not worried about the defense."

With an all-new line-up, Tenzing is looking to two sophomores to solidify the backline. Koren Takeyama was one of only five players to start all 21 games last season — but that was at forward. Shawn Higa played in 11 matches last year, but Tenzing called her "the most improved player."

"She's the most surprising find of the fall. She's terrific in the back. Until now, we had a problem with her understanding the flat-back position. Now, she knows it better than I do."

Takeyama "will play wherever we need her. She'll start in the back and we'll play her up top when we need her."

Also contributing will be senior Emily Rose and Ashley Chaffin, junior Kelly McCloskey, sophomore Lehua Wood and freshman Tehane Higa.

GOALKEEPERS

Tenzing said he is "not concerned about that position; they are really fine goalkeepers."

He has two accomplished goalkeepers to pick from: senior Mahie Atay, an all-WAC second team pick as a freshman, and freshman Kori Lu, who led her team to the U.S. Youth Soccer national title in 2003.

"It's a one-sided battle. Kori has come extremely fit, and she's a very good goalkeeper," Tenzing said.

Tiampo is still recovering from a knee injury, but is a capable back-up.

Note: Brigham Young senior midfielder Charlene Lui, a Punahou alum, is returning home for the OHANA Hotels and Resorts No Ka Oi Tournament.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.