Local soccer star caps college career

USING HIS HEAD- Damon Brooks of Azusa Pacific goes up high to win a ball in the air.

Damon Brooks, an alumnus of Hillcrest Christian School in Thousand Oaks and longtime Agoura Hills resident, recently finished his final season with the Azusa Pacific University Cougars at the 48th Annual NAIA Men's Soccer Championship Tournament.

APU was in the national finals for the third year in a row and made the championship game for the second consecutive season. The Cougars finished second in the nation after losing in double overtime on penalty kicks.

Heading into the 2006 season, Brooks helped lead a defense that surrendered one goal or fewer in 19 of 25 games last year.

Although he battled several injuries this season, Brooks was named co-Player of the Game in the NAIA Tournament game in which the Cougars defeated Northwood University, 3-1.

In 2004, Brooks was given the Champion of Character Award at the NAIA Tournament.

Brooks played on Hillcrest Christian's soccer team for four years. The Saints ended the 2001 season with a CIFSouthern Section championship and Brooks was named the Heritage League Player of the Year.

He coached the school's soccer team in 2003. Brooks' plan is to continue his playing career in the professional ranks. He's a business major at APU with an arts minor. He is married to Michele, who's a professional hair stylist.