HONOLULU—As the University of Hawai'i soccer team works its way through the second week of camp, the depth and experience at the midfield positions have helped clear up the picture of what to expect in 2019.
 
Four players return from last year's squad, with three of the four tallying over 800 minutes in 2018. Senior Mikaelah Johnson-Griggs led the group with two goals and two assists. Joining her are junior Izzy Deutsch, along with sophomores Morgan Meza and McKenzie Moore.
 
"With three central midfielders we look at them as the heart of our attack," said head coach Michele Nagamine. "Everything is running through them, and if we can get the chemistry down and the combination going between them, we should be a fun team to watch.
 

Returnees

Midfielders	Ht.	Cl.	2018 Stats
Madison Moore	5'7	R-Sr.	Redshirt
McKenzie Moore	5'7	So.	1 goal, 802 minutes
Izzy Deutsch	5'6	Jr.	1 assist, 392 minutes
Morgan Meza	5'5	So.	1,000 minutes
Mikaelah Johnson-Griggs	5'8	Sr.	2 goals, 2 assists

Newcomers

Midfielders	Ht.	Cl.	Hometown (Last School)
Grace Pekovich	5'10	Fr.	Meridian, Idaho (Centennial HS)
Batya Bagully	5'5	Fr.	San Marcos, Calif. (San Marcos HS)
Malia Faramarzi	5'6	Fr.	Encinitas, Calif. (San Dieguito Academy)
Kylie McNamara	5'3	Fr.	Union City, Calif. (James Logan HS)
Eliza Ammendolia	5'2	Fr.	Griffith, New South Wales (Hill Sport HS)

 
2018 Midfielders Lost: Leialoha Medeiros

Senior Stability: Since arriving on campus in 2016, Mikaelah Johnson-Griggs has been a mainstay at the midfield position appearing in 34 matches through her first three seasons. Her junior campaign provided her best numbers tallying two goals and two assists in 1,154 minutes while starting 12 matches and playing in 17.
 
Health Equals Production: A potential dark horse contributor is Kalāheo, Kaua'i native, Madison Moore. A transfer from Big West rival Long Beach State, Moore has battled injuries through her playing career only tallying four career appearances at LBSU. Now a Rainbow Wahine, and a senior after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Moore, the former four-year letter winner and three-time captain at Island School may see minutes for the 'Bows.
 
Getting Older and Wiser at the Collegiate Level: Both McKenzie Moore and Morgan Meza made impacts at their respective high school before attending UH. Moore, a graduate of Santiago High School in Corona, Calif. notched 30 goals and 34 assists through her career. Fellow Californian Meza, a graduate of Los Alamitos High School racked up 17 goals and 22 assists. Leading to both being possible difference-makers in 2019.
 
International Reach: Newcomer Batya Bagully came from San Marcos High School in California but was born in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. Throughout her career, she has played for the U16, U17 and U19 Kazakhstan National Teams tallying over 1,600 minutes of action over 19 matches. Recently, at the age of 17, she was invited to be a part of the adult national team training camp.
 
Fun Fact: Aside from being a freshman member of the soccer squad, Malia Faramarzi ranked at No. 38 in June 2018 for women's pro surfing by World Surf League.
 
Finals Words: "We have so many players who can go in and out of that triangle," said Nagamine. "We have about five or six people that we will rotate out of those positions. Certain players are starting to emerge every day from scrimmage situations. They are the heart of everything by helping us transition from defense to offense. They're a vital part of our formation.