Honolulu—The University of Hawai'i women's soccer officially kick-started its 2019 campaign on the week of August 5th, as head coach
Michele Nagamine enters her ninth season at the helm of the program.
The Rainbow Wahine are in a similar situation as a they were year ago in trying to find offensive production. Entering 2018 the question was who would replace Sonest Furtado and her output of seven goals and four assists from 2017? The answer was quickly revealed in
Raisa Strom-Okimoto as she recorded 12 goals and three assists in 2018.
"We've encouraged them through camp not to hold anything back," said Nagamine. "We want them to show us what they can do, step up, and be the woman. Replacing our goal scoring power from last year will be a challenge, but trust me, we will score goals this year."
| Forwards |
Ht. |
Cl. |
2018 Stats |
| Daelenn Tokunaga |
5'7 |
So. |
2 goals, 3 assists, .357% SOG |
| Kiri Dale |
5'7 |
R-Sr. |
3 career assists, splits time at Mid and Def. |
| Kayla Ryan |
5'5 |
So. |
16 matches played as a freshman |
| Claire Jo Diede |
5'8 |
So. |
15 matches played, started in three |
| Tia Furuta |
5'5 |
R-Jr. |
Sat out 2018 with an injury, 1 career goal |
2018 Forwards Lost: Raisa Strom-Okimoto,
Sarah Lau,
Jenna Williams
History of Scoring: Sophomore
Daelenn Tokunaga accounted for two goals and three assists as a true freshman last year. The Honolulu, O'ahu native notched 80 career goals at Pearl City High School before enrolling at UH.
Offensive Transfer: A new but familiar name for soccer fans in Hawai'i is Mid Pacific Institute graduate
Kayla Watanabe. The previous three years Watanabe spent her college career at the University of Idaho but will dawn the jersey of her home state as a senior. Throughout her college career with the Vandals, she scored nine goals over 58 games and ranks fourth all-time in school history with five game-winning goals.
Young Contributor: Freshman
Kelci Sumida presents a stellar resume as a high school athlete from Moanalua High School. As a junior she found the net 16 times, setting the bar high as a senior. In 2018 she outdid herself with 19 goals, ranking second in the state for goals scored.
Lead in Scoring, Go Pro: Since 2016, three different names have stood at the top of the scoring column for the Rainbow Wahine. Besides leading the team in offensive attack as a common denominator, all three have moved on to play professionally. Addison Steiner led the way in 2016 with eight goals and now plays for Reign FC. After scoring seven goals in 2017, Furtado spent time with LA Galaxy OC and recently signed on with Mjallby AIF in Sweden. Since being named Big West Offensive Player of the Year with 12 goals in 2018, Strom-Okimoto continued her playing career by signing on with the Utah Royals FC.
Finals Words From Nagamine: "We have multiple scoring threats, and I like it. Daelenn (Tokunaga) has the ability to score, Michaela (Retner) can score, Kelci (Sumida) has been scoring up a storm, we have a lot of different weapons. Every year you always wonder who the next one will be and I think it's the excitement of it all. The word we keep using is 'opportunity' and 'take advantage of your opportunities every day'. I'm excited because I think we'll have multiple people scoring goals this year."
