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Just For Kicks
Al Chase
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Silva to fly after leading Embry-Riddle
Kalei Silva's career goal is to pilot commercial jets for one of Hawaii's airlines in the future.
She also had a lot to do with the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University women's soccer team getting off the ground in its initial season three years ago.
Silva's interest in flying emerged during her senior year at Anuenue High School when she attended a two-week workshop sponsored by Aloha Airlines.
She was able to play soccer for Roosevelt and wanted to continue in college. The Kaneohe resident attended and played soccer for Menlo College her freshman year before transferring to Embry-Riddle.
"I transferred because of the great academics," said Silva, who is majoring in air science and minoring in business. "I also wanted to play soccer and knew they were going to start a team.
"There were only a few girls who had played soccer. We were trying to build things from the ground up. Finally the coach was able to recruit players and we did pretty good this past year."
The 5-foot-9 center midfielder and captain this year started every match (59) the Eagles have played in their three-year history.
"Kalei was definitely our leader, emotionally, technically and socially, on and off the field. She was the only one with college experience and that was very helpful. I think she played just about every minute of every game," said Embry-Riddle coach Meghan Luckett.
"In three years Kalei gained a lot of maturity and perspective. Like everyone, she made some mistakes, but she learned the right lessons from them."
Silva will obtain her private pilot's license at the end of next summer and graduate in May 2008. The next step keeps her in Prescott, Ariz., where she will put in the hours in the air to be certified as a flight instructor. That will allow Silva to log the necessary hours to make the next step of flying jets.
» Gail Ganoy (Lahainaluna '06) joined the Eagles as a walk-on this year and made a big impact according to Luckett. Ganoy was the first sub at center mid in the Eagles 4-4-2 system.
Two local players at Puget Sound had their seasons extend into the NCAA Division III Tournament after the men's and women's teams won their respective Northwest Conference titles. However, both teams were eliminated in the first round:
» Marcus Asahina, a senior midfielder from Punahou, played in 18 matches for the 13-3-2 Loggers and scored once on six shots. They were ousted by UC Santa Cruz 1-0.
» Melissa Abellanida (King Kekaulike '06), a freshman striker/midfielder, scored one goal and added four assists in 20 matches for the 15-1-4 Loggers. They lost to Hardin-Simmons 6-5 on penalty kicks after playing to a 2-2 tie.
» Lindsey Watanabe (Castle '06), a freshman midfielder, scored one goal and assisted on one in 16 matches for the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.