HONOLULU –University of Hawai`i head women's soccer coach
Michele Nagamine announced her inaugural recruiting class with eight players signing national letters of intent. The group includes four local products, along with players from California, Colorado and New Zealand.
“I am very excited about our 2011 recruiting class,” Nagamine said. “In addition to drastically increasing our team speed, we have a number of players with great club experience who are battle-tested in the ways of winning. Bringing in players who can make an immediate impact for us is only going to motivate our returning players to report for preseason camp in top shape and will create a competitive training environment for us in the fall.”
The eight players look to set the foundation for the rebuilding efforts of Nagamine who begins her first year as UH head coach. The Rainbow Wahine kick-off their 2011 season versus Washington State on August 19 at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium at 7:00 p.m..
Alexis Colacchio (5-3/Midfielder-Defender/Freshman/Aliso Viejo, CA/Aliso Niguel HS)
A four-year player for Aliso Niguel High School in California… helped lead team to second round of CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs before falling to eventual champion Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy… a member of the West Coast Futbol Club…led team to the finals of the West Coast Classic and Surf Cup…played for same club as fellow UH recruit
Madison Kaminski…also participated in track in high school, earning team MVP honors as a sprinter and hurdler.
Nagamine on Colacchio: “Don't let her size fool you. Alexis is a speedy, fearless player who can play both outside mid and outside back. She has the ability to play from box to box and is tenacious on defense. Alexis comes to us from one of the top clubs in Southern California (West Coast Futbol Club) and her club experience will be very beneficial to us as we rebuild.”
Ashley Haruki (5-1/Midfielder/Freshman/Mililani, O'ahu/Hawai'i Baptist Academy)
Two-time all-state honorable mention for Pac-Five in Honolulu…also a three-time all-league selection, including first-team honors as a senior…helped lead Pac-Five to back-to-back league and state Division II titles…named to the 2010 HHSAA All-Tournament Team…played club soccer for Hawai'i Rush…member of numerous title-winning squads, including the 2004 US Club Soccer national champions…also helped lead team to the 2005 USYS Far West Region finals… was the leading scoring in the 2011 MISO Women's League spring season.
Nagamine on Haruki: “Muki, as she is called by her friends, is tough as nails and plays much bigger than her size. She is creative, has good vision and is great with the ball at her feet. As a member of Hawa'ii Rush, she is well-traveled and experienced and I see her competing for playing time at both center and outside mid.”
A four-time all-state player at Moanalua High School, including first-time honors three straight seasons…the state's top goal scorer in back-to-back seasons…scored 23 goals as a senior and 30 goals as junior… selected as a Gatorade Player of the Year finalist in both of those seasons…three-time OIA East Player of the Year…led Moanalua to a pair of OIA East Red Division titles…team captain and MVP in each of her four seasons…named to the ESPN Rise all-state team...an ODP Region IV Pool Player…played club soccer for Ka'oi Express…led Ka'oi to four USYS Hawaii State Cup titles.
Nagamine on Fujimoto: “Tiana is one of the most prolific goal-scorers that Hawai'i has produced. Several top-notch mainland schools recruited Tiana and I am thrilled that she decided to stay home and play. She has had proven success on the state and regional levels and I expect her to be a key player in revamping our offense.”
Madison Kaminski: (5-4/Outside Midfielder/Freshman/San Clemente, CA/San Clemente HS)
A four-year letter winner for Southern California power San Clemente High School… part of a Tritons program that became the first county team ever to play in four consecutive CIF title matches…helped lead San Clemente to the CIF Southern Section championship in 2008 and '09 and runner-up finishes in 2010 and 11… member of two league championship teams…part of the 2009 team that captured league, CIF and state championships…played club soccer for West Coast Futbol Club…played for same club as fellow UH recruit Alexis Colocchio
Nagamine on Kaminski: “Maddie has great pace and is a very crafty outside mid. She loves to make runs and is very willing to take people on. She has a good understanding of how the game should be played and will compete for playing time immediately. Maddie also comes to us from West Coast Futbol Club, one of the top clubs in Southern California.
Sarah McCallum (5-7/Forward/Freshman/Taupo, New Zealand/ St Paul's Collegiate School)
A graduate of St Paul's Collegiate School in Hamilton, New Zealand…lettered two years in soccer… led St. Paul's to the Wakatio Secondary School Division I league title in 2009 and '10…served as team captain both years… earned MVP and Coaches Cup honors…named most outstanding player at the player of the Maurice Hulme Tournament…played club soccer for the Taupo Amazons…also a track standout… runner-up in the 4x100 meter relay and fifth in the 100 meters at the New Zealand National Secondary School's Athletics championship…UH's first-ever recruit from New Zealand.
Nagamine on MCallum: “Sarah will provide some great size for us up front and can run for days and days. She is extremely athletic and her coaches speak highly of her friendly personality and tremendous work ethic. She is our first international player from New Zealand and I am very excited to have her onboard.”
Krystal Pascua (5-8/Center Midfielder/Freshman/Waipahu, O'ahu/'Iolani School)
The 2011 state player of the year for 'Iolani School in Honolulu…led the Raiders with 11 goals in league play with four more in post season play as 'Iolani finished as state runner-ups...named the HHSAA Tournament MVP and league co-offensive player of the year for her efforts…also earned first-team all-state honors as a junior after leading the Raiders to a second-place league finish and state tournament berth for the first time in a decade…a four-time all-league selection…a two-year team captain…played club soccer for Le'ahi Soccer Club…helped team attain a ranking as high as 17th nationally and sixth regionally…an ODP regional pool selection.
Nagamine on Pascua: “Krystal is a ball winner, plain and simple. She has a unique combination of strength, size and a good tactical understanding of the game, which make her a huge threat in the midfield. She can service balls with both feet and is also great in the air. Krystal has been one of the top players in the state for a while now and I expect her to make a smooth transition into the collegiate game.”
Four-year letterwinner in both soccer and track for Kahuku High School on O'ahu…a two-time all-state player at striker…four-time OIA East all-star as a striker, including first-team honors as a sophomore, junior and senior…led team in scoring as just a freshman...member of the 2006 AYSO U12 national championship team…played club soccer for Le'ahi and Hawai'i Rush…also enjoyed a stellar track career at Kahuku…a four-time state champion in the 100-meter hurdles…set a new state record in the event as a junior (14.61)…also a multiple state champion in the long jump and triple jump…won state titles in the 300 hurdles, 100 hurdles and triple jump as just a freshman…named the 2008 Gatorade Female Track Athlete of the Year for Hawai'i for her efforts….a 2011 HHSAA Hall of Honor inductee…father Louis and uncles Walter and Lane Santiago all played football at UH.
Nagamine on Santiago:“One of the fastest players I've seen in a long time. Zhane is extremely athletic and has the ability to contribute as both an outside mid and forward. She can turn on a dime and has the uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time.”
Elke Zeuner (6-1/Goalkeeper/Freshman/Ft. Collins, CO/Fossil Ridge High School)
A three-year letterwinner for Fossil Ridge High School in Ft. Collins, Colo…earned all-conference honors as a senior goalkeeper when she recorded 93 saves, six shutouts and two assists in 1,200 minutes played…earned the Coach's Award twice...played club soccer for the Fort Collins Arsenal Royal and Colorado Storm North.
Nagamine on Zeuner: “Elke is probably the most battle-tested player we have in our 2011 class. She played on a club team that was coached by a friend of mine, Rafa Amaya and he told me that because they were a newly formed team, Elke would often produce up to 32 saves a game. At 6'1”, she has a very imposing presence and organizes her defense well. She has a tremendous up-side and is eager to learn.”
-UH-
