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Just For Kicks Al Chase |
Mililani’s Abrigo
headed to USFSEVERAL more Hawaii high school seniors have decided where they will attend college this fall and combine academics with soccer.
Jay Abrigo, a stopper on Mililani's state championship team, considered Portland and Denver before deciding to start his college education and continue his soccer career with the San Francisco Dons following visits to all three campuses.
"The deciding factor was the USF coaches' attitude. They were the most friendly," said Abrigo, a Star-Bulletin first-team All-State pick. "Also, USF is a better atmosphere for me as a student."
On his USF visit, Abrigo's host was Seabury Hall graduate Stacy Kodani, also a defender, who will be a senior this fall.
Chris Faulkner was set to go to USF, but he received a call Tuesday from his first choice, Washington U., in St. Louis, Mo., informing him he no longer was on the waiting list.
"This was my first choice all along because of the academics. It was an easy decision (to change)," said Faulkner, a striker from Iolani who wants to study finance.
Faulkner and Raider teammates Dane McCleary and Dyrk Teramae were Star-Bulletin first-team All-State selections.
McCleary, who has experience with the New Zealand U17 and U21 teams, will continue his career at the University of San Diego after considering USF, UC Irvine, Fairfield and UMass.
"I like the program and the coach at USD and I love San Diego. They made me a good financial offer," McCleary said.
Teramae, a striker, will enroll at UC Irvine this fall. He also thought about attending Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Loyola Marymount and Gonzaga.
"I wanted to go to a good engineering school that had a good soccer program," said Teramae, whose interest is mechanical engineering.
He was in the Olympic Development Program for four years.
Jodie Toyama, an outside left midfielder from Aiea, will try to walk on at national powerhouse Portland.
The Vikings return all but three players from their team that reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament last year.
Toyama did consider Hawaii.
"I've been admitted to the nursing school at Portland. It is a very good program. I really want to go into nursing and that was the big factor in my decision," Toyama said.
Lisa Lerud, a defender from Punahou, may walk on at the University of San Diego.
Makana Prothero, a striker from Kamehameha, has been accepted at Nevada-Las Vegas and plans to try out for the Rebels as a walk-on.
Alfiler an Aztec
Andrea Alfiler joins San Diego State's women's program as an assistant coach this fall. She assisted at Pt. Loma Nazarene in San Diego last year."I felt I was at a crossroads as far as my coaching career. I had an opportunity to go play pro ball in Spain and I came very close to getting on a very long plane ride," said Alfiler, who is from Kauai and the 2001 NAIA Player of the Year.
"But after a lot of thought and prayer, I decided to hang up the boots and join the staff at San Diego State. I believe that it's my calling and everything in my life has been a building block to prepare for this moment.
"I'm excited to continue coaching. It is definitely a passion of mine."
See the Columnists section for some past articles. Just for Kicks runs every other Sunday in the Star-Bulletin.
Al Chase can be reached at achase@starbulletin.com