Wednesday, February 3, 1999
Brown has
goal in sight
Mililani goalie Andrew Brown
By Cindy Luis
doesn't just get his kicks playing
soccer, he also gets his opponents'
kicks -- every last one of them
Star-BulletinClean Livin' ... it's the band in which Andrew Brown plays the drums.
He might consider changing the name to Clean Slate, because that's what he has to show for his efforts as the Mililani soccer team goalie. Brown, a 6-foot-3 junior, has not been scored upon this season as the Trojans take a 9-0-1 record into today's 5:15 p.m. semifinal match against Aiea in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Tournament.
"I get a lot of help from my defense,'' said Brown, an OIA West all-star selection as a sophomore. "I consider it a privilege to be the goalie on this team.
"I've been a goalie ever since I first started playing soccer when I was 5. It's what I do."
He does it very well. Brown's been invited to the U.S. regional youth team tryouts the past two years and hopes to go again this summer. He's already attracted attention from top West Coast programs such as UC Santa Barbara, UCLA and UC Irvine.
"Andrew's showed a lot of potential from an early age," said Mililani goalie coach Tony Hart, a former semi-pro goalie. "We've had him on the varsity since he was a freshman and we knew he was our future.
"He's so coachable, sets really high standards for himself. He's like a sponge. I can throw concepts at him and he picks them up just like that.
Mention something to him and he implements it the next game. He's such a great kid."
Brown is surround by the stingiest defense in the OIA as well as the top player in the state. Senior centerback Kyle Fukuchi, who signed to play soccer for the University of Washington today, was named the Gatorade Circle of Champions player of the year for Hawaii yesterday.
"We have a highly skilled team with good, strong leaders," said coach Jeff Yamamoto, whose team has not lost a regular season game in his five years with the Trojans. "With our team, they play united and aggressively. We put a lot of pressure on the ball and make it difficult for the opponents to move the ball around."
The Trojans' ball control often leaves Brown lonely in the goal. He comes out of his box to help call defensive signals along with senior sweeper Kevin Arizo.
"It's ironic that our defense is so good this year because at the start of the season it was an area of concern,'' said Hart. "I'm proud of our guys for the job they've done. We have a lot of good athletes."
Fukuchi was the kicker for the Mililani football team, Brown a punter and Arizo a defensive back. Fullback Robby Philipp was fourth in the state cross-country meet.
Seven of the 11 starters are seniors, including defenders R.J. Keon and Noah Rolf. Most have played together or against each other for years in AYSO leagues.
Together, they've won the last three OIA West titles. Last season, they were fifth in the state tournament.
The Trojans beat defending state champion Punahou during the preseason.
They'd like a shot at the Buffanblu during the state tournament two weeks from now at Maui's War Memorial Stadium.
"We're feeling pretty good about this team," said Yamamoto, "but we don't want to overlook anyone or be overconfident. We've had some obstacles to overcome this season, some injuries, but the team has played united."
"I think we've got a very good chance this season," said Fukuchi, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury early in the season. "But we have to play as a team and not play individual games.
"Our defense is solid. What can I say? We haven't allowed a goal. And Andrew being back there makes you feel confident. He's a good leader."
Brown has hopes of playing professionally. Eventually, he'd like to become an engineer.
His favorite subjects are science and math.
And right now, his favorite number is zero.
OIA Playoffs
Yesterday's results
Varsity girlsSemifinals
At MililaniAiea 2, Mililani 1 (shoot-out)
Kalaheo 1, Kailua 0
Goal scorers--Aiea: Joelle Sugai. Mili: Nani Ah Sam. Kalah: Michelle Quintana.
Fifth playoff spot
At Castle H.S.Kaiser 2, Kahuku 1
Pearl City 1, Castle 0
Goal scorers--Kais: Erica Worthington 2. Kah: Natasha Kai. PC: Carmen Calpo.
