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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, October 2, 2007

BYUH women leading in soccer

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Four games into the Pacific West Conference women's soccer season, Brigham Young-Hawai'i holds a commanding lead over Dixie State and Grand Canyon.

"Commanding lead," of course, is a relative thing in soccer.

The Seasiders are 4-0 in the PacWest and 7-4-1 overall after yesterday's 1-0 loss to visiting Weber State. BYUH has a five-point lead on Dixie (2-1-1) and Grand Canyon (2-2-1). Teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a tie.

BYUH went 2-1 last week, falling 3-2 to Cal St. Monterey Bay before rebounding against San Francisco State and Chaminade.

The team carries just three seniors on its 25-player roster, but head coach Justin Wagar has been getting solid play from his rising core of 10 freshmen and eight sophomores.

Playing next to steady senior Jill Haar, the freshmen, in particular, have been coming on strong. Forward Kahanu Ah Puck, a Kahuku graduate, scored two goals last week, including the game-winner against Chaminade. Earlier last month, mid-fielder Natasha Aiono scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over defending conference champ Notre Dame de Namur. And, goalie Becky Ploeger has proved a dogged defender of the net, recording three shutouts this season.

Yesterday, Ploeger made seven saves, but Shelli Gough's goal in the 36th minute lifted Weber State over BYUH.

BASEBALL SCORE?

Hawai'i Pacific nearly surrendered a season's worth of points as the University of Hawai'i blasted the Lady Sea Warriors, 11-0, at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium Sunday. Sophomore forward Vanessa Bailey led UH with three goals.

The Rainbow Wahine took 54 shots in the match. The overmatched Lady Sea Warriors did not attempt a shot.

CHAMINADE SLUMP

The bright side: Silversword sophomore forward Geri Tennessen leads the team in scoring.

The other side: Tennessen has scored one goal this season.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Pity Notre Dame de Namur, which played double-overtime games on consecutive nights last week and came up short both times. NDNU fell to Dixie State, 2-1, Friday and Grand Canyon, 3-2, Saturday.

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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