Michaela Tsuha:
In the span of six days, women’s soccer midfielder Michaela Tsuha (junior) had a lot to celebrate. She assisted on a goal in a roller coaster victory against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS) on Wednesday and scored a game-winning penalty against La Verne on Saturday.
“At first, when I was setting up, it was pretty nerve-wracking, but once the ball was down and everyone was out of the way I just had to calm myself and relax,” Tsuha said.
Tsuha sealed a 1-0 victory for the Tigers against the Leopards , bringing the team one win closer to a playoff berth.
Tsuha’s assist in the Tigers’ 3-2 win against the Athenas—her fifth of the season—tied her for second among the SCIAC leaders. Tsuha said she takes pride in her assists this season.
“Our entire team, from our goalie to our defense, they all work really hard,” Tsuha said. “So it’s nice to get a stat to show for their hard work.”
According to head coach Colm McFeely, Tsuha’s performance was reflective of her play throughout the year.
“Michaela has been sparkling all season,” McFeely said via e-mail. “She brings a joy to the game that is a delight to behold. Her work rate, commitment and unselfish approach to every game is inspirational.”
Tod Kawada:
The Occidental men’s soccer team has made the postseason tournament for the first time in the program’s history. Tod Kawada’s (first-year) goals in a tie against Cal Lutheran and in a win against CMS helped the Tigers make it to the promised land.
Kawada has had a nose for the goal all season, racking up 10 of the Tigers’ SCIAC-leading 38 goals this season. His goal in the 3-1 win against the Stags exemplified his knack for finding the back of the net. In the second half, a miscommunication between the Stags’ goalkeeper and a defender caused Michael Tonetti’s* (junior) free kick to pass by them. The ball found Kawada, who simply redirected the ball into the open goal, cementing the win for the Tigers.
Head coach Rod Lafaurie said that Kawada, who leads the Tigers and is tied for second in the SCIAC with his 10 goals, does more for the team than just score.
“What he brings in regard to our culture is phenomenal,” Lafaurie said via e-mail. “Tod is one of many in our family who have a major role in the team, and the team couldn’t be happier to have ‘Swaggy T’ playing for the Tigers.”
*Tonetti is an Occidental Weekly staff member.
