OC Register Story

FULLERTON, Calif. - Mirin Fader of the Orange County Register profiled midfielder Kaycee Hoover about her time playing for Guam during the summer. Read an excerpt from the story below and clich on the link to read today's story from the OC Register

By Mirin Fader | Read the Full Story

Hoover, the starting defensive midfielder for the Cal State Fullerton women's soccer team, traveled to Guam this summer to play for the Guam National Team.

Her mother, Cindy, who was born in Tamuning, Guam, lived in the village of Dededo until she was 10 years old and moved to the United States shortly thereafter.

Kaycee, a Brea native, couldn't pass up the opportunity to travel to Guam for the first time and play in a competitive international setting: the East Asian Conference Federation Tournament.

Her mother had always hoped she'd have the chance to visit Guam.

"It meant everything," Cindy said. "It was a really big opportunity for her, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I don't think she would have gone to Guam had it not been for this."

Hoover was bursting with pride minutes before her first game. The Guamanian National Anthem rang loudly. Her navy blue and red jersey, representing the island's official colors, sparkled.

She and her teammates chanted the Guamanian pledge of strength, also known as "Inifresi," which is a promise to protect and defend the beliefs, the culture, the language, the air, the water and the land.

Hoover felt connected.

"I really did feel that the island is my home," Hoover said. "It was great to be at the place where I know all my ancestors are from. It was a truly great experience."

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