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Just For Kicks Al Chase |
Hawaii booters make
most of redshirtsDuring the 2003 collegiate soccer season several Hawaii players found it necessary to take a redshirt.
This happens when a player suffers a major injury. It also occurs when a player needs a year to adjust to college life, academically and athletically, or to save a year of eligibility if the team is loaded with talent at a player's position.
Tiffany Taylor was a redshirt last fall at Boston U. after transferring from Washington State.
The Punahou grad realized a long-time dream last summer when she spent a month at a soccer camp in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. She was one of 12 women among the 65 Americans there. They were trained by Bolivian coaches who only spoke Spanish and played matches against teams in the nearby towns.
"I absolutely love it and plan on doing it again next summer," said Taylor who sat out this year after suffering a torn ACL in her right knee during preseason practice at BU.
Taylor had surgery Sept. 15 and expects to be ready for spring practice.
She originally chose WSU because it was Pac-10 soccer and close to home. After two years she needed a change.
"I was getting restless at Washington State. It's an awesome school, but it is in the middle of no where. I couldn't experience anything else but soccer. And, I just love Boston. There is so much to do here," said Taylor.
Ricky Shinn, a freshman defender from Pearl City, redshirted at Southern Methodist.
"Ricky is an outstanding young man with raw talent. We have discussed the season with Ricky and feel that it is in his and SMU's best interest if he were to be redshirted for the year," said Mustangs coach Schellas Hyndman.
Kyle Strickland, a junior midfielder, redshirted at UC Irvine. He pulled a hamstring the day before the Anteaters' first match. His recovery was so slow that head coach George Kuntz thought it was best the Kapaa graduate sit out a year.
Soo Lee, a freshman goalkeeper from Seabury Hall, and Shaina Sonobe, a freshman defender from Punahou, redshirted at Southern Oregon and UC San Diego, respectively.
Jayson Nakakura, a sophomore goalkeeper at Missouri Valley College, sat out the year. The Pearl City grad is recovering from an injury suffered in a postseason match last year.
Hunter Gradie (Mid-Pacific), a freshman goalkeeper at Delaware also redshirted as did another goalkeeper, Kealii Kuehu (Castle) at St. Mary's (Calif.).
Randi Kikuchi tore her right ACL in the San Francisco Dons' sixth match. That ended her season.
The sophomore defender from Seabury Hall was starting at an outside back position.
"We expect a complete recovery and hopefully have her back at the end of spring training," said USF coach Pamela Kalinoski. "Randi is a great kid. I have a tremendous amount of respect for her."
Freshman news
Erica Chong, a defender from Hilo, played in 14 matches for Long Island U. The pharmacy major started three matches.Christina Hayduk, a goalie from Kauai H.S., backed up NCAA Division II first-team All-American Lindsay Blose at Mesa State. Hayduk allowed one goal and had three saves in three matches for the 15-5-3 Mavericks.
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
