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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, March 13, 2009

Moanalua's Fujimoto towers above the East

By Leila Wai

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Coach Nikki Dela Pena and sophomore forward Tiana Fujimoto helped Moanalua capture the Red East title with an 8-1-3 record.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Moanalua sophomore Tiana Fujimoto is 5 feet 1, yet stands out among her peers.

The petite powerhouse led the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red East Division in scoring with 17 goals behind a tenacity that seemingly belied her physical limits.

"You don't expect a little player to have so much intensity," Moanalua coach Nikki Dela Pena said. "You can find her all over the field. She'll play defense and then run up and score goals. She can create plays when nothing can be created."

Fujimoto was named the OIA Red East Player of the Year in a vote by division coaches, after leading Na Menehune to the division title. She scored against every opponent in the two-round season.

"Even though she's injured, she'll still give you 100 percent," Dela Pena said. "Every game she's taped up. It just goes to show how committed she is. That makes it even better that she's here for two more years."

Joining Fujimoto on the first team are teammates Krystle Winkyaw (two goals) and Alexandria Jones (four goals), both midfielders, and defender Jennifer Blakeley (four goals).

League runner-up Kalani placed three on the first team: forward Tani Costa, midfielder Arden Matro (two goals) and defender Haley Chee, who anchored a defense that allowed a division-low eight goals. Costa, who missed part of the season because of a stress fracture in her ankle, was second in the league with 10 goals.

Kaiser midfielder Chelsy Okuma, a relentless pursuer, and defender Amy Austin, who scored four goals, were also named to the first team. Roosevelt placed defender Ashley Okazaki and goalkeeper Joy Nakahara, who helped the Rough Riders to a fourth-place finish after moving up from the White Division.

Kahuku speedy sophomore forward Zhane Santiago rounds out the first team with a three-goal effort.

Costa, Fujimoto and Austin are all repeat first-team selections. Nakahara was a White Division first-team selection in 2008.

Dela Pena was named the league's Coach of the Year after Na Menehune (8-1-3) captured the OIA Red East.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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