Soccer Sisters

The heartbeat of the Hawaii soccer team has an echo.

Krystal and Kama Pascua are the emotional pulse of the Rainbow Wahine, their sisterly bond the cord that draws a diverse squad together.

UH coach Michele Nagamine was reminded of such upon the team’s flight home from California after last week’s successful road trip to UC Davis and Long Beach State. The Pascuas, sitting next to each other on the plane, chatted and laughed while the rest of the team sought precious sleep.

"There’s not a lot of free time, separation away from each other," Nagamine said. "But there they are, after an entire road trip. They’re cracking each other up in the airplane like they’re best friends talking about whatever. It’s just so nice to see. I’m just really thankful that our team and I, and our staff, get to be a part of all of that. That feeling of ohana, that trickles into everybody else. The care, the respect, the love that they have for each other, it’s contagious and I think people pick up on that. So we always say, ‘soccer sisters.’ They’re actually soccer sisters."

The pair always had that special connection among an athletic (and large) family. Their father, Brian, played football at Pearl City and mother, Ginger, had an affinity for basketball. They have six other siblings, and while the others matriculated through youth soccer to wrestling, or judo, or football, only Krystal and Kama, separated by two years, stuck with the beautiful game.

Though Krystal is a natural midfielder, they now both play up top at forward.

"It’s been an amazing experience because, being able to work with each other on the field, and having a connection on and off the field, that’s a really special thing," Kama said.

The Wahine have depended on both to remain in contention for one of four Big West Conference tournament berths. UH plays host to UC Irvine and needs a victory to stay alive. The home finale is next week.

Krystal, an All-Big West second-team selection last year as a sophomore, leads the team in assists with five, while Kama, a freshman, is second in goals with four. Krystal assisted on two of Kama’s goals.

Krystal, at 5 feet 8 the tallest player on the team and usually the one that attracts the most attention from opponents, has embraced the role of a facilitator this season. Meanwhile, the 5-5 Kama has channeled her speed, touch and finishing ability from ‘Iolani and Leahi Soccer Club and brought it to the next level.

The Sisters, as they’re known around the Big West, last played together at ‘Iolani three years ago — but they’ve always crossed paths in club ball. It’s given them an extra sense of the other’s location and next move. They’ll instinctively run over to the other if they sense trouble.

"It’s easy to play with somebody when you know exactly how they play," Krystal said. "You know their style of play and what they do and where they want the ball. How they want it. It just makes things easier."

"It’s easy to anticipate what she’s going to do," Kama added.

Kama is flat-out used to winning. She helped guide the Raiders to the 2013 state title and her Leahi team won the U-18 U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV Championship at Waipio Peninsula over the summer.

When Krystal committed to UH out of ‘Iolani, it immediately gave the Wahine a leg up for Kama.

Both sisters play with passion. (They’ve each received a red card this season.) Nagamine has encouraged both to keep their emotions in check.

But Krystal has largely embraced the role of tri-captain and has been "the mother hen" for many of the team’s younger local players, Nagamine said.

"I think our team has really taken the lead off of this ohana and embracing everybody," the coach said. "It’s a really tight-knit group and just such a pleasure to be a part of it."