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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, March 29, 2008

PREP SOCCER
Dydasco dazzled on field

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kamehameha's Zane Dydasco played five positions in the opening game of the state tournament.

Advertiser library photo

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Andrew Ah New

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Whether he was blasting a shot into the goal or making a sliding tackle to prevent a score, it seemed like only the dimensions of the soccer field could contain Kamehameha's Zane Dydasco.

Dydasco was named The Advertiser All-State Player of the Year after the multi-talented senior midfielder/defender led the Warriors to the state title.

"He can play multiple positions and he does what the team needs him to do to be successful," 'Iolani coach Chris Lee said. "He can play all over the field and have the same impact no matter where he's playing."

Dydasco's versatility allowed Kamehameha coach Andrew Ah New to play him almost everywhere.

"He can do everything, and he did everything, " said Ah New, who played Dydasco at five positions in the tournament's opening game. "He did it without complaining and he did a good job wherever he was."

"He's just an all-around strong player tactically and technically," Mililani coach Jeff Yamamoto said. "He seemed to be strong mentally as well. He tends to dominate and he's definitely an impact player."

Three senior forwards, Blaine Gonsalves of 'Iolani, Kamehameha's Kimo Komomua and Mililani's Colin Lund, were selected to the first team.

Gonsalves, who signed with the University of Tulsa, scored six goals in the regular season but exploded in the state tournament with four goals to help the Raiders reach the title game.

"He is a dangerous player," Ah New said. "Someone that you have to watch all the time. He's quick and strong and has everything."

Komomua tied for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu scoring lead with 12 goals and scored twice in the state tournament, including one in the championship game against 'Iolani.

"He's got all the tools, he's a very dangerous player who can score from anywhere, either with his feet or his head," Ah New said. "He's an all-around player."

Lund was the workhorse for the Trojans, roaming the offensive third of the field to score eight goals, which led the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West. He added three more in the OIA tournament as the Trojans won the title.

"He's a big-bodied guy who finds a way to get the ball in the net; a very physical player," Ah New said.

Along with Dydasco, four other midfielders were chosen for the first team, a position stacked with talented players.

'Iolani senior Kevin Fung and teammate Brock Granger, a junior, Kapa'a senior Chance Bukoski and Kamehameha-Maui senior Cody Felipe are the first-team midfielders.

Fung, the ILH Offensive Player of the Year after scoring six goals, was responsible for setting up many of the Raiders' scoring chances, whether in the run of play or on set pieces.

"He's got the best free kick shot of anybody in the league, and maybe the state," Ah New said. "He puts a high percentage of shots on goal and he has the best chance of scoring when put in that situation."

Granger, who switched from forward to midfielder, was always a threat after scoring five goals in the regular season.

"Brock is a special kid. He works hard on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively, and he's a threat in the attacking half of the field," Lee said. "He's always looking to make those runs and get behind the defense, and has a good shot with both feet from the outside."

Bukoski was, in a word, outstanding.

"He's the best player coming out of the state," Yamamoto said of the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year. "I don't think people got to see him enough. He's fast, with tremendous skill and size; he has everything. He is a Division I (college) player to me."

Felipe was the "quarterback of their team," Ah New said of the two-time All State first-team pick.

"He's smart, physical, and had good skills," Ah New added. "He had excellent passing and excellent shooting."

'Iolani senior Hiroshi Metzger, Kamehameha junior Kainoa Kahui and 'Aiea junior Mason Puckett are the first-team defenders.

Metzger, a consistent, tactically sound defender who never seemed to be rattled, helped the ILH champion Raiders in allowing four goals in 12 games.

"He's smart, quick, fearless and it was hard to go through him," Ah New said. "We had to go around him, which helped their cause. He was always their No. 1 guy back there to me."

Kahui, the ILH Defensive Player of the Year, was the man in the middle, with a physically dominating presence and the game to match it.

"He's just a physically powerful person," Yamamoto said. "He's very intimidating for anyone to play against, and coordinated, agile and quick. With him playing in the back and Zane playing with him, I can't imagine scoring against that team."

Puckett "was very composed back there, and organized his defense really well, and that's what you look for in a center back," Lee said. "He's really steady, and strong in the air and he could hit the ball."

Kamehameha senior Micah Swain was chosen as the first-team goalkeeper. Swain blocked penalty shots against 'Iolani and Kamehameha-Maui in the state tournament.

"He came up big when he needed to," Lee said. "He made some key saves against us in the final."

Kamehameha's Ah New was chosen Coach of the Year after the Warriors won the state championship for the second time.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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