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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Nagamine takes over HPU women's soccer

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

It was, Michele Nagamine readily admits, "a crazy few weeks."

Fortunately for Nagamine, whose frenetic offensive schemes have been known to rattle a few psyches, it's been a good crazy.

Two weeks ago, Nagamine was named the 2007 Parochial Division High School Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for her work with Kamehameha's girls soccer team.

On Saturday, Nagamine's Kamehameha squad captured its third consecutive state championship (and fourth overall under Nagamine) with a 1-0 win over Punahou.

And yesterday, Nagamine was formally introduced as the new head coach of HPU's women's soccer team.

"I have a lot to be thankful for," Nagamine said.

The indefatigable Nagamine will continue to coach Kamehameha and contribute to the Leahi Soccer Club, where she serves as technical director and director of coaching.

"I've been lucky because I have great coaches around me," Nagamine said. "I won't spread myself thin because I have great support all around. I approach the coaching aspect the same way we approach the team: Everybody contributes by doing what they do well."

Nagamine, who works as the director of sports marketing and sales at Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, takes over for Mark Kane, who coached HPU for 12 years.

Nagamine, a long-time admirer of Kane's coaching, said she hopes to build on the foundation Kane established at HPU. She said she shares much of Kane's "samurai" approach to the game (her father attended Saint Louis with Kane).

"He's no-nonsense," she said. "He's old school in the sense that he teaches his players to work hard, don't cry, don't complain. I think I can bring a feminine perspective and touch to what he's already done."

Nagamine will have her work cut out for her. The Sea Warriors struggled through a 3-15 (2-10 PacWest) record last year.

Yet, Nagamine said she was encouraged by her initial talks with returning players.

"I think they're looking forward to the opportunity to step up to the next level," she said. "We have a good core."

Nagamine's teams have typically distinguished themselves with their prodigious offensive capabilities. Nagamine emphasizes a possession-oriented game that relies on players who are capable of scoring regardless of the position they play.

"Creating opportunities is what I focus on," Nagamine said. "If you can create those opportunities, the goal scoring will come."

WINNING WAGNER

With Brigham Young-Hawai'i's convincing 96-62 win over Hawai'i-Hilo on Saturday, Seasiders head coach Ken Wagner tied University of Hawai'i icons Riley Wallace and Vince Goo for the winningest record in state history.

Victory No. 334 came in the 16th game of Wagner's 18th year with BYUH. Wagner could break the record as early as tomorrow, when the Seasiders, currently in second place in the PacWest, take on Chaminade.

Wagner's 334-169 record includes six seasons of 20 wins or more and just one losing season (14-16 in 1993).

Wagner attributed his success to his players, who have included NCAA II scoring champ David Evans and former NBA player Yuta Tabuse.

"It means I have been fortunate to have a lot of good players over the years that have given us the consistency to produce winning teams," Wagner said.

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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