Skyler Goo is intrigued by the clapping.
No, not the clapping hands of fans after the Saint Louis striker scores a goal.
“They clap their hands when they ask for the ball,” Goo said about playing with and against some Real Madrid Academy youth teams in Spain. “In the United States, I never saw that once. Over there, they know where their teammates are going to be and they’re also clapping to make sure.”
This type of effective nonverbal communication is an example of Goo’s ongoing education of what is possible on the soccer pitch. And that thirst for knowledge will continue next fall, when he joins the UNLV soccer team as a freshman. He’s following the same path as his brother, Aaron, who went from the Crusaders (2008-11) to the Rebels (2012-15).
The Saint Louis senior has lofty goals.
“Freshman year, I want to start,” he said. “I want to get playing time, and as I get older, eventually I want to make All-American teams and hopefully become the leading goal scorer in the WAC. Overall, I want to be a good leader of my team.”
Leadership role
Goo, a productive goal scorer with a mighty right foot, has evolved into a leader in high school. It took a while, though, according to Saint Louis coach Rick Sandry.
“In the beginning, Skyler was real good at breaking my only rule: Don’t piss me off,” Sandry said. “He was young and wanted to have fun all the time. It was about discipline. He’s an emotional, passionate type of player. One time, when he was a sophomore, we went at it and things were said. Later that afternoon, he got back to me and said, ‘My bad. Sorry for that.’ It was a big step. Lately, he’s been able to convey what he knows to his teammates. He has come a long way with that. He’s always been soccer smart, understanding tactics and game management. He’s been a big part of the team, a special talent.”
That “big step” in 2017 was when the Crusaders shook off a slow start and made it all the way to the Division II state final, where they lost to Hawaii Prep 2-1.
Goo, a four-year starter with 42 goals to his credit, continues to work on becoming more of a distributor, especially when he’s up against multiple defenders.
“One of my strengths is going at defenders one-on-one, taking them on and dribbling,” he said. “And whenever I’m in the box, I just want to get that shot off. But sometimes there are others nearby with better opportunities. Against Mid-Pacific last year, we were losing 1-0 and then I scored on a PK. Later, our keeper threw it all the way down the field to me. I was dribbling down the line, two guys came at me, I gave it to Josh Roberts back door and he put it in. A few seconds later, the game ended.
“As a sophomore and junior, sometimes I wouldn’t listen. This year, I’m sharing more and we’ve been more successful.”
Sandry and Goo think another deep run at states is possible, now that Saint Louis (3-2-2, first place ILH D-II) is back in D-II after one year up at D-I.
“We were really good two years ago,” Goo said. “This team has the work ethic to make it back. We don’t stop. We don’t quit. We were more talented then, but we have more heart now.”
International training
Goo, whose sister Chelsey played for the University of Hawaii earlier this decade, calls that trip to Spain in 2017 the highlight of his soccer career so far.
“We trained at their Real Madrid Academy facilities and played the Spanish teams on their fields,” he said. “Very nice. We saw how world soccer is played. They don’t do a lot of talking.”
Aaron Goo was also a potent goal scorer for Saint Louis and then at UNLV, but the biggest thing Skyler has learned from him is not anything technical.
“We’re very similar players, but he was better than me at one thing, his love for the game,” said Skyler, whose own love for the sport continues to grow. “He plays like every game is his last. I thought that was a good idea to play every game like that.”
Goo has experience playing outside back with his Rush club team and would consider switching if called on.
“Aaron played outside back in college,” he said. “It’s a key position. They make runs down the side, make crosses, and also have to defend and not get beat on the outside. It’s one of the hardest positions and I like it.”
Intermediate goals
Sandry recalls being impressed with Skyler when he was an intermediate player at Saint Louis.
“I used to always ask him if he was sure he wasn’t in ninth grade yet,” the coach said. “He would go to other coaches and say, ‘Is Rick for real? He keeps asking me if I’m in ninth grade.’ ”
Goo remembers that as well, with a twist: “I would joke with him and say, ‘I’m in ninth grade and I can play varsity.’ ”
SKYLER GOO
Saint Louis Soccer
>> Grade: Senior
>> Position: Striker
>> Height: 5 feet 7
>> Weight: 135 pounds
>> Club team: Rush
>> College team next season: UNLV
>> Possible college/career paths: Construction, engineering
>> Favorite high school subject: Math
>> Favorite pro sports team: Indianapolis Colts
>> Favorite athlete: Ronaldo
>> Favorite TV shows: “Hawaii 5-0” and “The Office”
>> Favorite movie: “The Avengers”
>> Nickname: Squirrel
>> Parents: Wendy and Darrin Goo of Mililani Mauka
>> Siblings: Kimberly, Chelsey, Aaron
