DENVER - The 2008 Western Athletic Conference preseason all-conference soccer team and Players of the Year, along with the preseason WAC standings were announced today as voted on by
the eight coaches. The University of Hawai`i was selected to repeat in 2008 and swept the Players of the Year awards.
The reigning WAC Offensive Player of the Year, Hawai'i's
Ambree Ako, garnered Preseason Offensive
Player of the Year honors for the upcoming 2008 season. Ako's teammate,
Tehane Higa, took home a share
of the Preseason Co-Defensive Player of the Year honor along with Utah State's defensive ace Lindsey Smart.
After finishing with a 6-1-0 record in conference during the 2007 season,
the defending WAC champions received seven of the possible eight first place votes for 49 points. Hawai'i returns nine starters, tied for second-most in the league. The Rainbow Wahine
look to become back-to-back WAC champions for the first time in school history.
Ako ended the 2007 season ranked first in the WAC in goals (7), assists (6) and points (20) in conference play as well as leading the conference with four game-winning goals during
her sophomore season. She also ranked 33 in the nation with a 1.52 point per game average.
Hawai'i led all WAC teams with five of the 11 preseason all-conference selections, including Co-Defensive Player of the Year Tehane Higa. The veteran back returns for her final
season with the Rainbow Wahine. She anchored a backline that helped break the school record for shutouts (12).
Joining Ako and Higa on the preseason all-WAC team were seniors Taryn Fukuroku and
Kori Lu and sophomore Nicole Mikula.
The Rainbow Wahine kickoff the season Aug. 27 against Long Beach State at the Waipio Soccer Stadium. The WAC Soccer Tournament heads to McKay Stadium in Reno, Nev. after playing the
2007 Championship in Boise. The six-team tournament will be held November 6-9.
2008 Coaches' Poll
Team (1st place votes) Points
1. Hawai'i (7) 49
2. Fresno State (1) 40
3. Utah State 37
4. Boise State 30
5. Nevada 28
6. San Jose State 18
7. Idaho 14
8. Louisiana Tech 8
2008 Preseason All-WAC Team
Ambree Ako, F, Hawai'i, Jr.
Randi Baker, MF, Boise State, Sr.
Taryn Fukuroku, F, Hawai'i, Sr.
Selena Gill, D, Fresno State, Sr.
Tehane Higa, D, Hawai'i, Sr.
Kori Lu, GK, Hawai'i, Sr.
Nicole Mikula, D, Hawai'i, So.
Miranda Montejo, MF, Nevada, Sr.
Shannon Saxton, F, Boise State, So.
Alison Sill, MF, Fresno State, Sr.
Lindsey Smart, D, Utah State, Jr.
Preseason Players of the Year
Offensive: Ambree Ako, F, Hawai'i, Jr.
Co-Defensive: Tehane Higa, D, Hawai'i, Sr. and Lindsey Smart, D, Utah State, Jr.
