LIHU‘E — The Pacific West conference announced its 2009 men’s soccer All-Conference teams Thursday, with two familiar faces making the cut for top honors. Kapa‘a High School graduates and current Hawai‘i Pacific Sea Warriors Chance Bukoski (forward) and Ikaika Fuerte
LIHU‘E — The Pacific West conference announced its 2009 men’s soccer All-Conference teams Thursday, with two familiar faces making the cut for top honors. Kapa‘a High School graduates and current Hawai‘i Pacific Sea Warriors Chance Bukoski (forward) and Ikaika Fuerte (midfield) were named to the First Team by PacWest coaches.
Bukoski, a sophomore, is now a two-time member of the All-PacWest First Team. Fuerte, just a freshman, made a name for himself with his all-around play and came on during the second half of the season to become a steady playmaker for the Sea Warriors attack. HPU finished the season with an overall 13-2-2 record, finishing second in the conference at 10-2-2.
In an email from HPU head coach Scott Liedtke, he indicated that the team had been expecting big things from both Bukoski and Fuerte prior to, and throughout the season.
“I feel both players have a work ethic second to none and this is where it starts,” he said. “They are willing to put the time in necessary for them to develop, build and enhance their abilities. I expect them to continue getting better and be contributors to the program and help us achieve national recognition.”
Bukoski led HPU with 13 goals in 17 games played. Of that total, 11 came in conference play, good for second place in the PacWest. Seven of his goals were game-winners. He also added three assists to tally 29 points for the season.
Asked if he had expected Bukoski to develop into the player he has to this point, Liedtke said he did and is very pleased with how everything has turned out.
“When we recruit players there are certain things we look for, both on and off the field,” Liedtke said. “The on-field components come from the game itself and coach recommendations, the off-field criteria revolves around character and work ethic. Everything pointed to a positive for Chance.”
Liedtke indicated that the coaching staff was not surprised that Fuerte, a true freshman, became one of the team’s impact players as the season progressed.
“We saw something special in Ikaika and felt mentally and physically, he was ready,” he said. “We just needed him to get the experience at a collegiate level.”
Fuerte led all PacWest players in assists with seven in the 14 conference matchups. His assists per game average was tops in the conference, while he was also the only player to record three assists in a single game.
“I really couldn’t be happier with both Chance and Ikaika, though that doesn’t mean they don’t have to continue working.”
Liedtke feels that there could be a continued connection between Kaua‘i’s top talent and the Sea Warriors in the future.
“If Kaua‘i keeps producing soccer players like this, we would welcome all of them,” he said.
UH’s Punzal, of Kapa‘a, named to WAC women’s 1st Team
BOISE, Idaho – The Western Athletic Conference announced the 2009 all-conference soccer teams last week, with three Rainbow Wahine — Mari Punzal on the First Team and Ambree Ako and Britta Bourne on the Second Team — being honored.
Punzal earned her second-straight First Team All-WAC honor. She scored both of her goals on the season in WAC play, including one game-winner.
Punzal, of Kapa‘a, went to school at Kamehameha.
Ako earned her third All-WAC honor, finishing the season with seven goals and five assists. The senior posted four goals, three assists and 11 points during WAC play.
