Aiea, Maze Set Sights On OIA Soccer Tourney This Week
Brittny Maze
Should Aiea girls soccer team come undone this postseason, it will come from without, not within.
Na Ali‘i’s team chemistry remains one of its biggest strengths heading into this week’s OIA Division I Tournament, according to junior defender Brittny Maze.
“We’re really close compared to any other team I’ve played on,” said Maze. “We have team-bonding activities, and we carpool every day before practice to go eat together. If we have some drama come up, we’ll hold a team meeting.”
Maze and Na Ali‘i have high hopes this postseason once again. Last year, Aiea was the feel-good story of the prep soccer community when Na Ali‘i made it all the way to the championship game of Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Division I State Tournament before losing to Kamehameha.
“It is a lot to live up to because we went so far, but I think we’re going to do pretty well again,” said Maze.
First up, Aiea (7-1-2) will take part in this week’s OIA Tournament. (Pairings for the tournament were to be finalized after press time, but Na Ali‘i already secured the West second seed and a first-round bye.) The top six finishers in the OIA Tournament earn league berths for next month’s Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Division I State Tournament.
Maze recently took some time away from the practice field and her studies to visit with MidWeek‘s West Oahu Islander.
What is your most memorable soccer-related experience? I remember when I was 11, my (Blitz Soccer) team won regionals. We were the first team from Hawaii to win a regional.
Who’s had the biggest impact on you in your life? I think my dad (Wally). He’s hard on me, but if he wasn’t, I’d just be an average person or player. I’m thankful for that.
What area of your game did you focus on during off-season? Conditioning. Every Saturday or Sunday my (Surf Soccer) club team (has) power hour, which is a straight hour of running.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned through soccer? To never give up. When the coaches are hard on you, you have to push through. They’re usually hard on people they have the most faith in.
Who is Aiea’s best “practice player” — the girl who puts out her best effort every day? It would be (Keani) Napuunoa. At practice and games, she keeps us positive. She’s the one who gets us pumped up and focused.
What Internet site do you frequent the most? I go on Instagram the most.
What is your least favorite household chore? Washing dishes.
What movie could you watch over and over? She’s The Man.
Who are three of your favorite musical artists? Ariana Grande, Beyonce and Chris Brown.
You’re stuck on Kahoolawe. You can have an endless supply of one food. What would it be? Fried chicken.
If you could have your pick, what celebrity would you most like to meet? Justin Bieber.
