Posted on: Friday, April 16, 2004
Our neighborhood athletes
Mililani Soccer Club wins Nike U10 title
 |
||||||
| The Mililani Strikers B94 Gold team gather after their victory. They are, front row from left, Dean Gaboya Jr., Leland Gomez, Brayden Prothero, Aaron Goo, Richard "Kalei" Gallarde. Back row from left are Kainoa Ke-a, Ka'imi Fairbairn, Cole Wright, Elliott Freeman, Jessica Clanton, Ty Rinoski Jr., and Westin Lendon.
Brad Lendon photos |
||||||
|
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Ten-year-old Dean "D.J." Gaboya Jr. said he'd rather score a goal than get an assist.
"I like scoring better, because it feels better," he said.
The left forward did both in the championship game, lifting the Mililani Soccer Club '94 Strikers to the Boys Under-10 to victory in the Nike Invitational last month in Southern California.
Behind goals from Gaboya Jr. and Aaron Goo, the Strikers defeated the UIFC Red Titans of California, 2-1, to win the Gold Division.
The tournament was played March 17-23 and featured teams from California and Arizona.
"It felt good, because we won," said Gaboya Jr., a fourth-grader at St. Patrick's in Mililani.
Goo scored the game-winning goal with five minutes to go on a volley off a cross from Gaboya Jr.
"These kids, they know how to dig in," Strikers coach Darrin Goo said. "In the close games they can dig deep and pull out these games."
The Strikers defeated Samba, 3-2, in the semifinal, and beat the West Covina Express, 7-0, and Corona Galaxy, 7-0, to win their pool.
"In my opinion, they do a lot of things that the better U12 teams do," Darrin Goo said. "They're really advanced technically; tactically we're getting into that right now. They know how to keep possession, they can play long, they can play wide, they can adjust to the style of play."
Gaboya Jr. said he likes playing with this team, because of "the way they act, they're funny. They make funny jokes."
Team Members: Jessica Clanton, Ka'imi Fairbairn, Elliott Freeman, Dean Gaboya Jr., Richard "Kalei" Gallarde, Leland Gomez, Aaron Goo, Kainoa Ke'a, Westin Lendon, Brayden Prothero, Ty Rinoski Jr., Cole Wright.
Hoop fundraiser for 14U Warriors
The Hawai'i Warriors, a basketball team composed of nine boys from 12 to 14 years old and selected from schools throughout O'ahu, will play in the 14U division in the National Youth Basketball Championship in July.
To raise money, the team will hold a steak plate fundraiser tomorrow and Sunday at Star Market in Moili'ili from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• • •
Calling all achievers
The Honolulu Advertiser is accepting submissions and pictures of achievements of Hawai'i's everyday athletes.
If you know of such athletes or teams drop us an e-mail at cmurayama@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax to (808) 525-5491.
Don't forget to leave contact information.
There is no age limitation for nominees. And don't be confused by the "Outside" flag on top of this page.
Submissions will be accepted from indoor sports, such as weightlifting, wrestling, gymnastics, bowling, etc.
The Strikers, made up of 9- and 10-year old boys — and one girl — was the best out of 12 teams in its age division.
The Mililani Strikers B94 Gold team celebrate after winning the title with a 2-1 victory over the UIFC Red Titans, a team from Norwalk, Calif.
