Saint Louis’ Skyler Goo was chosen as the Gatorade Hawaii Boys Soccer Player of the Year, the Gatorade Company announced Thursday.
The award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the field
The 5-foot-7, 135-pound senior forward scored 23 goals, leading the Crusaders (10-3-2) to the Division II state championship game this spring. Goo scored in 12 of 15 games with six multi-goal games. Goo is also a member of the U.S. Youth Soccer State Olympic Development Program team and he was chosen as a first-team All-State selection by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Goo has volunteered locally with the Blood Bank of Hawaii and the Waikiki Hungry Ministries, according to a news release.
“Skyler is a machine and plays the striker position to perfection,” Damien coach Bob Dodge said in the release. “He’s a smart, patient player. I have seen him grow into one of the best players in the state.”
Goo, who has a 3.10 grade-point average according to the release, will play on scholarship at UNLV this fall.
Recent Gatorade Hawaii Boys Soccer Players of the Year:
>> 2019: Skyler Goo, Saint Louis
>> 2018: Alex Liu, ‘Iolani
>> 2017: Duncan McKenna, Punahou
>> 2016: Tyler Ohata, Punahou
>> 2015: Naia Graham, Kailua
>> 2014: KJ Ahlo, ‘Iolani
Lincoln Oishi got robbed, great athlete/competitor and an even better person. Looks like Gatorade only cares about the stats, and Skyler will obviously have more goals than a defender.
Thank you, Mrs. Oishi.
Now can we hear from Skyler’s Mom?
You do not win the Ballon d’or playing in the second division or winning the Europa League. Skyler is a great player. Without taking anything away from him, however, he was not the best player in the state this year.
Because St. Louis was DII, he only played once against the ILH D-I teams – Punahou, Iolani, and Kamehameha. He also did not have to play against the best DI teams in the state tournament. Scoring a bunch of goals against DII teams such as Damien, LeJardin, and Pac5 is not the same as having to do so against the ILH’s DI teams, which have organized defenses, including the real best player in the State for 2019, Lincoln Oishi (however, as a unit, Punahou’s defense certainly has a claim to being the best).
Oishi played and delivered against some of the best in the state (HPA, Kapolei, Punahou) both on defense and offense. Also, Oishi was an incredible leader and has a respectable academic record, as surviving Iolani is an accomplishment. It is very rare for defenders to win best in the state honors (it has been over a decade), but Oishi deserved it. Perhaps Oishi’s teammate Jacob Lee will earn and be given fairer consideration next year.
Disclaimer: Just my #RaiderNation
Skyler-DI college
Lincoln-DIII college
Skyler is the top player in club soccer, which prevails over the mediocre high school level of competition. Also, if memory serves, Skyler scored 2 goals against Iolani this past season. I think the defense had some difficulty containing him, wouldn’t you say? Considering both boys came from private schools is commendable enough. But the true talent lies with Skyler. Kudos to him, and shame on those who are trying to make another steal his spotlight.
Why all the hate ? Do you think Saint Louis bought the award from Gatorade. Move on and just congratulate this kid for what he has accomplished.
Just be happy for someone else’s accomplishments guys. Yall be so bitter. Both really talented players but they can’t both win. They chose Skyler so deal with it.
Clearly, you guys donʻt watch the games. If you watched Iolani vs. Saint Louis, then you would know that Skyler is the better player. It doesnʻt matter what Division they are in. You can tell Oishi has players around him that help and give him support, unlike Goo where it is only him and Nick Lamanna. You can tell by watching the games which player had the most impact on a team. Yes, Oishi did hold down the defense for the Raiders but you can see he has others around him that help him in the back, unlike Goo where it is just him up forward. You canʻt expect someone to beat every defense single handily. But in this case, Goo did tear up defenses by himself which is why he was the perfect fit for this award.
Brah skyler goo is the best is state no cap!!!!! Oisishi or whatever that clowns name was couldn’t defend Skyler so look at the stats before u start yapping. And him playing D2 doesn’t mean anything he plays for the best club team in the state and he also plays with men in the indoor soccer league so stop playing!! And not to forget he’s going to UNLV for a soccer scholarship.
All I hear is crying from those two people thinking Oishi should’ve won it. WAH WAH WAH.
Calm down. No hate for Skylar. It would just be nice to have a defender get recognized once a decade or so. Also, club play is not considered for the Gatorade award.
The competition between these two players goes back years and it started with their parents. Both are excellent players, off and on the field. Skylar won this. Congrats to him. Who ever is Akamai Okole deserves an award too! Lololololo! You know the truth!