A soccer season defined by denial on the pitch — no ways and not quites — gives way to acceptance today.
Hawaii’s frustrating year comes to a merciful close on senior night against UC Irvine. For a UH (3-13-1, 0-7 Big West) team well out of the conference tournament race, and especially its four outgoing players, the Anteaters (6-10-1, 2-4) represent one last chance to record a Big West result.
UH also seeks to avoid an eighth straight defeat, which would be a program record for a single season.
UH SOCCER SENIOR NIGHT
>> Today, 7 p.m., at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium
>> UC Irvine (6-10-1, 2-4 Big West) at Hawaii (3-13-1, 0-7)
>> TV: OC Sports |
"No bolo. That’s going to be the (theme)," coach Michele Nagamine said. "It’s not like one win is going to make or break us. But we’re definitely not content or getting used to losing. And the culture of the program is still not a losing culture."
Tiana Fujimoto, Lidia Battaglia, Erica Young and Amanda Bates will be traditionally honored after the game. Fujimoto and Battaglia are co-captains and have been all-conference players.
"I think what this class has meant to us, is they found a way to persevere," Nagamine said. "It has not been easy. This class has had challenges from their freshman year. … I think they’re leaving as better people, who are accountable and compassionate. And that’s something that I’m really proud of."
Fujimoto, a fifth-year forward out of Moanalua High, leaves as one of the top scorers in program history. The 5-foot wonder battled back from a medical redshirt year in 2014 to record two more goals this year, raising her career count to 23, still fifth all-time.
"I think (being a top-five scorer) is pretty cool, but after this season it feels like I don’t deserve it I guess, because I didn’t score as much," said Fujimoto, a Big West first-team pick in 2013. "But I think it’s pretty amazing that I accomplished something like that."
Her eight game-winning goals are third on the UH chart, behind only Natasha Kai and Arlene Devitt. Fujimoto, wired to be goal-driven, isn’t yet sure what she’ll do after she graduates in family resources and sociology in December.
"I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands," she said with a laugh. "I don’t know what my game plan is."
Battaglia, a 5-foot-7 defender from Santa Monica, Calif., was Nagamine’s first recruit and has been a fixture at center back since.
Nagamine’s "bull in a china shop" scored the first two goals of her career this year. She was an All-Big West second-teamer as a junior and made the All-Freshman team back in 2012.
The fiery Battaglia was the youngest member of a consistent back line for her first two years, then had to transition into being a leader with many new players around her.
"I think that’s a huge theme of my four years here, just transitioning from a girl to a woman, I guess you could say," Battaglia said. "How Coach Bud always said, ‘Be da woman.’ I had to learn to be da woman. Be mature, grow up a little bit."
Battaglia suffered a hamstring injury a few games ago and isn’t expected to play today, short of a possible brief appearance to wave to her visiting family in the crowd. She graduates in finance in the spring and wants to be a financial advisor back in her native California.
Young, of Laguna Niguel, Calif., is a fourth-year junior and part-time starter in goal, and is departing after graduating in communications in the spring. She saw most of her action last year, when she got 14 starts and had two combined shutouts. This year she started four matches and made 20 saves.
"I love the game, love the sport," Young said. "Any chance I have to play, every minute, I treasure it. So I’m always thankful for it."
Bates, another fourth-year junior, is set to graduate in sociology. The forward out of Aliso Viejo, Calif., has played in three matches — most notably against then-defending national champion UCLA last season. She recorded a shot on goal.
