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Silos Well Supported when Long Beach State Plays
by Janis Carr, Orange County Register
November 3, 2006
LONG BEACH – Annie Silos might not always be able to verbalize
her feelings. Cerebral palsy has delayed her development and muddled her
speech.
But when it comes to watching her sister, Kim, play soccer, there's no
mistaking her voice. Hers is among the loudest at Long Beach State women's
games.
Annie Silos and the rest of her family once again will be in the stands
when top-seeded Long Beach State opens play in this weekend's Big West
postseason tournament at Long Beach State.
The 49ers (14-4-1) play Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (9-6-3) after third-seeded
and defending champion Cal State Fullerton (9-7-2) takes on second-seeded
UC Santa Barbara (7-6-6) at 11a.m. today
"I can't remember a time when Annie wasn't excited to be at one of
Kimmy's games," Becky Silos said of her two youngest daughters. "She's
always cheering her on."
Kim Silos, a sophomore midfielder, has given Long Beach State fans plenty
to cheer about this season. She leads the Big West in goals with nine,
26 points and eight assists.
Silos also holds modern-day school records (1998 to present) for career
goals (18), assists (13) and points (49), accomplishing the marks in just
two seasons. Plus, nine of her career goals have decided games.
Yet, if you ask her about her accomplishments, Silos immediately turns
the talk to teamwork, chemistry and camaraderie.
"As a team, we have made incredible progress from last season tactically
and technically," Silos said. "Our confidence level is really
high as well."
Kim's initiation into soccer came when Samantha, her older sister, began
to play.
At a soccer camp, Kim, then 2, began to get fussy, her mother said, and
one of the camp counselors offered to take the toddler and kick a ball
around.
"Five minutes later, he comes back and says that Kimmy was going
to be really great," Becky Silos said. "He said that even though
she was right-handed, she was a natural left-footer. He knew she was going
to be a blessed player.
"I said, 'Uh-huh.'"
Becky understandably had her doubts. When Kim scored her first goal in
an AYSO game, it was for the other team.
"The coach told her that was great, but she had to go the other way,"
Becky Silos said. "She must have listened because she went on to
score five more goals for her team that game."
Kim tried out for her first club team at 7, earning a spot on the under-11
squad. She has been playing at a high level since.
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