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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, March 13, 2009

Mililani's Goo stepped up to be best of West

By Leila Wai

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Always a scoring threat, Chelsey Goo added passing to her arsenal.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Ray Akiona

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After four years on the varsity squad, Mililani senior forward Chelsey Goo earned a reputation as one of the league's top players.

It led to increased recognition, and as a result, defenses focused more and more of their attention on her.

So she adjusted, adding a dimension to her game that made her even more dangerous.

"Because of the recognition, she will always have a double team," Mililani coach Ray Akiona said. "She understands the importance, that if you have two on you, there's going to be an open man. Her passing has improved as a result, and that's made her a better player as well."

Goo was selected as the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West Division Player of the Year in a vote by league coaches. She led the division in scoring with 13 goals, but her offensive contributions didn't end with goals.

"Although she had the most goals, a lot of (teammates) had opportunities to score and she set them up," Akiona said.

Goo, teammate Mari Miyashiro and Pearl City's Dayna Domingo were named to the first team as forwards. Miyashiro scored seven goals, and Domingo eight.

The first-team midfielders are Kapolei's Liana Gualdarama and Kristina Behrens, 'Aiea's Jacquie Watkins and Pearl City's Casey-Lynn Casuga.

Behrens scored seven goals and Gualdarama four. Watkins tied for second in the league with eight goals, while Casuga carried the Chargers to second in the division after they lost several players due to injury.

First-team defenders are Mililani's Chelsey Miyake, Pearl City's Tobi Kaneshiro, Kapolei's Brooke Bush, and 'Aiea's Brianna DeGuzman. Kapolei's Kiana Kaiwi was the first-team goalkeeper.

Bush and Kaiwi teamed to lead a Kapolei defense that allowed four goals in 12 games. Miyake's Trojans allowed a league-low three goals, and DeGuzman's Na Ali'i allowed 10 goals.

Akiona was named the OIA Red West Coach of the Year after the Trojans dominated their competition, outscoring opponents 44-3 during their undefeated regular season (11-0-1).

Selected by coaches of respective leagues.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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