Get this.
UH-Hilo women’s soccer coach Gene Okamura already has had time to watch tape of both of the Vulcans’ upcoming opponents.
That’s crazy.
There’s more – by 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, he already was working from the comforts of his office as his lone practice was done for the day.
Unbelievable.
Okamura still has a second job as a director for Hawaii Rush Big Island, but when he was on the mainland with his club team this summer he was able to get some recruiting in on the side, and he didn’t even have to worry about UHH’s men program.
What kind of nutty world is this?
Okamura was “relieved” of his double duties as men’s coach when Paul Regrutto came on board, effectively lifting the burdensome director of soccer weight off his shoulders, and it’s quite the relief.
“It’s a lot less stress,” Okamura said. “At this point last year, I was a lot more tired.
“I think we put more specific details into every little thing we do.”
Such as watching film on opponents, making player evaluations and developing talent.
“The student-athlete experience is going to be way better,” Okamura said. “I enjoyed my time with the men and the interaction, but when I learned Paul was hired, I was excited for the men’s team.”
Okamura enters his sixth season with the wahine, the first three as an assistant. He wasn’t too busy last season to have forgotten a six-match losing streak in which the Vulcans were shut out five matches in row, a cold stretch that ruined a promising 6-3-1 start.
“Did we score last year?” Okamura asked jokingly.
The Vuls finished 7-9-1 for their third consecutive losing season, outscoring the competition 23-17 for the program’s best record since 2014.
Okamura’s stress level is down, but there is some uneasiness among the coaching staff heading into Friday’s season-opener against Eckerd College in Waipahu, Oahu.
It‘s a good problem to have.
Thanks to a bevy of returning seniors and a slew of promising first-year players, the Vulcans are deep enough, Okamura says, that trimming the travel roster down to 18 players is an arduous task.
There may be some hurt feelings left in Hilo when the Vuls fly out Friday morning.
“We talk about it everyday,” Okamura said, “it’s tough.
“Those 17-18 spots, there are five or six girls for those two spots. We have no idea yet.”
During most seasons, the story here would be all the returning contributors in the front and middle thirds of the field. Seniors Jaimie Salas and Carlie Reader tied for the team lead with five goals last season, junior Bryana-Marie Ebbers, a Kamehameha-Hawaii graduate, bagged four and senior Tiera Arakawa (two goals, one assist) resumes her role as a steady leader in the midfield after starting all 17 matches in 2017.
Junior Leighana Weaver and seniors Danika Steele and Callye Lehmann also notched goals primarily in reserve roles and Waiakea alum Sabrina Scott, a senior, can be dangerous when healthy.
This year, however, isn’t like most seasons.
Okamura was tentative to list anyone as a sure-fire starter because he sees as many as five first-year players as potential starters and three positions could be held down by performers who didn’t play much last season.
“The newcomers, with their ability to compete right away physically are strong,” Okamura said. “Their technicality, their soccer IQ and understanding is pretty high.”
Taking advantage of his club connections on Oahu, he recruited Jodi Lillie from Mililani and Okamura thinks the freshman will make an immediate impact at center back alongside junior Janelle Schwartz, a transfer from Santa Rosa (Calif.) JC.
Senior Lucy Maino started each match last season and will play outside back with Maleni Avalos, who saw time in just five matches last season but impressed her coach with her effort during the spring and her fitness.
“Most of the seniors will contribute, but the freshmen are just as competitive,” Okamura said.
Another promising freshman is midfielder Piper Collado from Pearl City High on Oahu, junior midfielder Brianna Valencia redshirted last season but is ready for playing time, as is junior midfielder Hedda Bjerklund, a former Division I player who got into just five matches in 2017 because of an injury.
At goalkeeper, “The competition level for that spot is very high,” Okamura said. “I think it’s the highest it’s ever been.”
In the mix are freshman Taylor Hornburg, junior Bailey Cahill – another Santa Rosa transfer – and sophomore Ysabela Gabrielle Barin, who played in three matches last season.
Only one goalkeeper will make the trip to Oahu on Friday, and whoever it is Okamura is hopeful she’ll have more margin for error thanks to a higher-powered offense.
“A lot of times we got outshot last year, but I don’t think that portrayed how dangerous we were,” he said. “We would get into the attacking third, but we wouldn’t create anything off it. We would get down there and play. Now we’re looking to be more dangerous and get a shot off.
“We’re asking them to think a lot more, we’re adding different elements and more attention to details we think we can use to expose other teams.”
