The Hawaii soccer team narrowly missed out on the Big West Conference tournament, but it received a few consolation prizes on Tuesday.
Junior forward Tiana Fujimoto became the first UH soccer player named to an All-Big West first team after netting 10 goals this season, second-best in the conference.
"I didn’t expect it, but it’s nice to have," Fujimoto said. "I wouldn’t have got it if it wasn’t for my teammates, if they didn’t play me the ball. I feel like it was a team thing."
The Moanalua High product lived up to her billing as a preseason all-conference player. Seven of her goals were game-winners, tying a team record set twice by Natasha Kai.
UH finished the season at 8-8-1 overall and 3-4-1 in the Big West, good for a tie for fifth place — but not for one of four postseason tourney berths.
No UH players were named to the second team, but three Wahine — mid/forward Krystal Pascua, and defenders Chelsea Miyake and Lidia Battaglia — were accorded honorable mention.
Coach Michele Nagamine was incensed that senior defender Karli Look, perhaps the team’s best technical player, was overlooked, as was defender Malé Fresquez. UH shut out four teams in its eight-game Big West schedule.
"I thought it was an absolute travesty we didn’t have anybody on the second team, but then I think about the fact, you know, we finished fifth place," Nagamine said. "When you finish first, second, third, there are going to be more players represented from those teams.
"That’s what I’m going to tell the team next year. You want conference recognition? You’re going to need to earn it. You’re going to need to win it."
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.
Forward Kama Pascua and goalkeeper Monk Berger were named to the All-Freshman team. Pascua scored four goals, second among UH players, and Berger set a single-season Wahine record with seven shutouts.
Krystal Pascua, a second-team BWC selection a year ago, did not score this season but had a team-high five assists.
Cal Poly’s Elise Krieghoff, the league’s leading scorer by far at 21 goals, was named Offensive Player of the Year. Cal State Fullerton’s Erica Mazeau was the Midfielder of the Year and UC Irvine’s Zoya Farzaneh the Defensive Player of the Year. Fullerton’s Lindsey Maricic was the Goalkeeper of the Year and Long Beach State’s Mimi Rangel was the Freshman of the Year.
UC Riverside’s Nat Gonzalez was the Coach of the Year. His team qualified for the conference tourney on the last day of the regular season.
