HOMEGROWN HOME & AWAY
Garbin's return lifts Oregon soccer
By Casey McGuire-Turcotte
Special to The Advertiser
Casey McGuire-Turcotte • Special to The Advertiser
EUGENE, Ore. — University of Oregon head soccer coach Bill Steffen says he is the second-happiest person to see Nicole Garbin back in uniform after a torn anterior cruciate ligament in last year's preseason forced her to redshirt.
Baldwin grad Nicole Garbin, left, and Mililani grad Mele French have helped Oregon start the season 2-0.
The happiest, without a doubt, is the entire Oregon team.
Garbin, a 2001 Baldwin graduate from Wailuku, has led Oregon to its first 2-0 start in three years. She has scored two goals, one in the 35th minute of a 1-0 win over Rice last Sunday, and the other in a 4-1 romp of Boise State on Friday.
"The trainers really pushed me to get to rehab every day," Garbin said. "It paid off, though, because now I'm back to full strength in my leg, with no pain or tendinitis."
She said the injury was devastating, but it helped open her eyes to a whole new level of the game.
"I had a lot of time to watch and think last year. I'd be on the sidelines of every home game, asking the coaches, 'What should she have done there? What about in that situation?' This year, I see myself doing some damage."
And Garbin is capable of that.
As a senior in 2001, the two-time All-State Player of the Year scored on two headers to give Baldwin a 2-0 win over Mililani in the state championship. As a college freshman that fall, she was one of the best offensive threats Oregon had seen. She set several school records, including most game-winners (4) and most shots taken by a freshman (42). Oregon went 8-8-2, finishing with the most wins in the program's six-year history.
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Without Garbin in 2002, the Ducks finished 2-14-2 overall (1-7-1 in the Pac-10) against competition that included then-No. 1 North Carolina, then-No. 1 Stanford, No. 5 Portland, and No. 13 Florida State.
The Homegrown Report has returned as an occasional feature in The Honolulu Advertiser, with a new name — Homegrown Home & Away — an expanded format that will chronicle feats of college athletes away and here as well.
"We had developed a tough schedule with Nicole's play in mind, and it was hard on the whole team, physically and mentally, to not have her there," Steffen said. "She is a real personality for us. She's confident in herself, and that makes those around her more confident."
Garbin accepts that role with grace and determination.
"I'm not an official team captain or anything, but the team looks to me for support and guidance," she said. "Last year was hard, and I want to help our returnees pick their heads up and let them know that I'm back and I will be contributing in a big way."
Fellow forward Mele French, a 2002 Mililani High graduate, has also made an impact. Last season, French made three starts and amassed 21 shots on goal with two finding the back of the net.
"Last year was difficult — I felt like the only forward up there after Nicole got injured, and it was a hard situation to be put in," French said. "But this summer I trained at home with my club team (the Bulls '84) and worked on individual things, mentally and physically, to make me a better player for the team."
Steffen has been impressed with French's resilience since last season, and believes the sophomore will be a factor this year.
"The biggest difference in Mele this year is her confidence and independence," he said. "She's now initiating plays instead of just reacting to Nicole, and combined with her speed, that is going to make her a better player."
Steffen is pleased to see the Hawai'i-Oregon soccer pipeline flowing.
"All of the Hawai'i kids we've gotten here have been great," he said. "They've represented us well both on the field and off as stellar student-athletes. The coaches and club teams (in Hawai'i) do an excellent job with development of the players. They're only getting better and better."
Quick Kicks: Oregon plays an exhibition against the Ghana world team today, then resumes collegiate competition against San Francisco Sunday. ... Mele French wears a self-made ribbon tassel of her school colors on her left leg during every game for good luck. "It started in high school ... I have no idea why."... Nicole Garbin credits visualization for keeping her calm and prepared for games. "The night before and the day of a game, I picture myself doing certain things and making specific plays," she said. "I'm always visualizing."... Jon Kiester, a third-year assistant coach for Oregon, was a three-year team captain at Hawai'i Pacific and played with the Hawai'i Tsunami for two seasons.
