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Just For Kicks Al Chase |
Hawaii still supplying
programs with playersTHE high school year is quickly drawing to a close with graduation ceremonies on the horizon for Hawaii's seniors. More and more are making their college choice and many will continue their soccer careers at a high level this fall.
JoBette Nabarro, a striker who led the Big Island Interscholastic Federation in scoring this year, has signed a letter of intent to play for San Diego State this fall.
"I visited the campus, liked the place and they offered me a good scholarship (82 percent of a full ride)," said Nabarro, who graduates from Waiakea High School soon.
Elizabeth Kalama, an outside midfielder from Kamehameha, also opted for Southern California. She will attend Point Loma Nazarene, an NAIA school located in San Diego.
"I applied to other schools, but Point Loma was my first choice," said Kalama. "I wanted a smaller school. My brother is there and I wanted an atmosphere similar to Hawaii. When I got off the plane in San Diego I knew right then that's where I wanted to be."
Ashlee Doi, a 2002 graduate from Mililani who was a part-time student at Leeward Community College this past year, has signed a letter on intent to play for Pepperdine in the fall. She also visited Boise State and Oregon State.
"I felt overall the academics were better and the team is ranked. I wanted to play at the highest level," said the defender who will receive a financial aid package.
More college notes
Kyle Strickland, a sophomore midfielder from Kapaa, who played in just two matches for Gonzaga last fall, has transferred to UC Irvine.Erin Sayegusa, a junior from Kaiser, earned Western Athletic Conference All-Academic accolades for the fall semester. A midfielder/striker for Fresno State, she is majoring in liberal studies and has a 3.35 grade point average.
Unfortunately, due to reoccurring budget shortfalls at FSU, the school has dropped men's soccer along with three other sports starting this fall.
Lori Sakai, a freshman defender for the Notre Dame de Namur Argonauts (Belmont, Calif.), was named to the NAIA California Pacific Conference 2002 all-conference second team.
Dang Pibulvech, head coach of the Nevada women's team, has had his contact extended for one year through the 2003 season. Pibulvech, who started the program from scratch three years ago, was initially given a three-year contract when hired in February 2000.
Congratulations
Mahie Atay, a goalkeeper who had an outstanding freshman season for the Hawaii Wahine, has been invited to the United States Adult Soccer Association National Select Team Region IV camp in Seattle, June 18-22.The camp provides players, 19-23, with the opportunity to train in a competitive environment with the purpose of being singled out for selection to a national or professional team.
The Baldwin graduate posted a 1.35 goals against average and a 7-5-2 record for the Wahine in 17 matches last year. She was an all-Western Athletic Conference second-team pick.
Just for Kicks runs every other Sunday in the Star-Bulletin.Al Chase can be reached at achase@starbulletin.com