International:
2007: Saw action off the bench in the late stages of three matches at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China. Participated in the 2007 residency program. Became the first-ever player from Hawaii to play for the full Women’s National Team and to make a Women’s World Cup Team. 2006: Played in 17 games in her first year on the National Team, starting four. Got called into her first training camp with the full WNT in February of 2006. Made her full Women’s National Team debut at the 2006 Algarve Cup in Portugal, scoring in her first two games against Denmark and France, both as a substitute. Became just the fourth player in U.S. WNT history to score in her first two caps. Scored four goals in her first seven WNT matches, including the winner in a 1-0 victory over Japan on May 9, 2006. Youth: First brought in with the U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team in 2004, and was the leading scorer on the team with 12 goals, including six in international matches. Helped lead the U-21s to the Nordic Cup title in Iceland, scoring three goals in the tournament including two against Germany. Injured her shoulder in her final college game of 2004, then re-injured it again in her first U-21 camp of 2005, necessitating surgery, and did not get called into a U-21 camp until January of 2006.
College:
Became the first player in WAC history to earn three Player of the Year awards and earned First-Team all-conference honors all four seasons. Scored 15 goals with four assists as a senior. One of the top offensive players in the nation during her career, she owns the WAC career shots record (446) and is second in goals (72) and points (162) … She finished her college career with 72 goals in 73 matches. Voted the team's MVP and Most Outstanding Striker as a sophomore, junior and senior. As a junior, she led the team in scoring with a team-high 12 goals, while adding five assists. Seven of her goals were game-winners, including three in overtime. Suffered a broken collarbone in waning minutes of UH's finale against Tulsa in the WAC Tournament. As a sophomore, she led the nation in goals scored (29) and set or tied 13 new school and conference records, including UH records for goals in a match (5 vs. Morehead St.), and season (29). Score seven game-winning goals and also scored a goal in nine straight matches. Scored multiple goals in eight matches, including four hat tricks. Got four goals vs. Nevada, tying the WAC record for goals in a conference match. As a freshman, she completed record-breaking rookie campaign by setting or tying eight school records, three freshman records, and four conference records. Named WAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, becoming the first player in conference history to accomplish the feat.
High School / Youth Club:
A 2001 graduate of Kahuku High School in Kahuku, Oahu, she was regarded as perhaps the top female high school athlete in the state. Earned four letters each in soccer and track, two in volleyball and one each in basketball and cross country. A two-time Oahu Interscholastic Association soccer all-star. Earned All-State and Gatorade Player of the Year honors her senior season. Led the Red Raiders to the division title her senior season, the first title in the school's history. Voted to the OIA East first team in volleyball her senior season and earned OIA first team and all-state second team honors in basketball her senior season. A two-time state champion and record holder in the 300 hurdles. Also captured state titles in the 110 hurdles, high jump and long jump. Played club for Kailua AA and on occasion for the Leahi Soccer Club.
Personal:
Full name is Natasha Kanani Janine Kai. Nickname is "Tasha" or “TK”. Majoring in sociology. Likes to surf, especially her home beach at the North Shore. Likes to hang out with her friends, go dancing and spend time with her family. Loves to travel and meet new people. Has a small Dachshund named Chloe. Has three younger brothers and two younger sisters. Has 16+ tattoos, by far the most ever for a WNT player. Younger sister Krisha played soccer at Hawaii. Is a great aunt to her pride and joy, nephew Kaizen. Likes to sing and takes after her father Benny Kai, who is a professional singer at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Oahu.
Courtesy of USSoccer.com
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