Just For Kicks
Al Chase
Spring practice has just about ended for most of Hawaii's freshman soccer players, who got their first taste of collegiate competition last fall. Here is what some of them accomplished: Hawaii booters make
strides as freshmen>> Audrey Ehrhorn, a defender from Iolani, played in 14 matches for George Washington. She shot twice and scored one goal for the NCAA Division I Colonials (10-9-0).
>> Two former Kalaheo booters helped the Missouri Valley Lady Vikings finish third in the Heart of America Conference with a 7-1-1 mark and qualify for the NAIA Region V tourney for the first time since 1991.
Lindsey Peck, a midfielder, was the third-leading scorer with seven goals and four assists in 19 matches. Jennifer Katres, a striker, also played in 19 matches, took one shot without scoring, but had an assist.
>> Justin Green, a reserve midfielder from King Kekaulike, scored one goal, a game winner, and had three assists in 19 matches for 10-9-1 NCAA Division III California Lutheran. The Kingsmen finished fourth in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with an 8-5-1 record.
>> Lindsey Rothbaum played in nine matches for the Cal Lutheran Regals. The midfielder from St. Andrew's Priory had one assist.
"Lindsey Rothbaum is an excellent addition to our program. Early in the season she was sick and it took a little while for her to get back on track. Once she started feeling stronger she showed well," said Cal Lutheran coach Dan Kuntz.
"Though she did not play a lot in the back end of the season, she has great promise for the future. Lindsey has worked extremely hard in training ... driving her teammates to achieve more. This effort and commitment will pay off for her in the long run."
>> Taryn Jim, freshman eligible athletically though academically a sophomore after spending her first year in college at Iowa State, played in 20 matches for Humboldt State last fall. The Mililani graduate started nine of those matches and scored two goals.
>> Randi Kikuchi, a redshirt freshman defender from Seabury Hall, played in 14 matches with 10 starts for the 8-10-1 San Francisco Lady Dons. She shot four times, but did not find the net.
>> Also at USF, Ben Villaflor Jr. saw limited action (407 minutes) for the 10-8-1 Dons. The midfielder played in 11 matches, starting six, took six shots, put one on goal and had one assist.
"Ben has showed great promise but is still adjusting to the college game. Ben is technically very gifted, but has to increase his speed play. He also was hampered by nagging injuries," USF coach Erik Visser said.
>> Jessica Levitt, a midfielder from Parker, started 12 of 14 matches for the Dominican U. (Ill.) Stars. She put nine of 13 shots on goal but did not score, and had one assist.
>> Stacy Kodani, a sophomore defender from Seabury Hall, had an excellent year for the San Francisco Dons.
"Stacy has made steady progress through hard work and dedication. Stacy has become one of our most reliable and consistent defenders," said USF coach Erik Visser.
>> Rob Self played in 18 matches for the St. Michael's (Vt.) Purple Knights. The sophomore midfielder from Kaiser was credited with one assist.
Just for Kicks runs every other Sunday in the Star-Bulletin.Al Chase can be reached at achase@starbulletin.com