Losses Mount, but Christian Keeps Chin Up : Soccer: Senior forward has offered the only highlights for Loyola Marymount, which has staggered to a 3-13 season.

Although small in stature, Dannel Christian has given Loyola Marymount’s struggling soccer program the big boost it needed.

The 5-foot-6, 150-pound Christian, a native of Hawaii, has given the team unprecedented notoriety this season.

“He’s put us on the map with a lot of firsts,” Loyola Coach Peter Novakovic said. “His quickness is his best asset. He’s deceptively fast. He also has good dribbling ability and he shoots well.”

At the end of September, Christian became the first soccer player in school history to be named West Coast Conference player of the week.

Considering that Loyola has never offered soccer scholarships before this season and is only partially funding the program now, the feat is even more remarkable.

In addition, the Lions compete in one of the nation’s toughest Division I soccer conferences, which includes powerhouse Santa Clara.

“In the WCC no matter what team you play, you’ve heard about their star players because you’re used to seeing their pictures in Soccer America,” Christian said. “No one knows the players on our team.”

The same week Christian, a senior forward, was honored by the league, he made the all-tournament team at the Cleveland State Soccer Classic.

He had three goals and an assist in the tournament and led the Lions to their first victory over a Division I opponent since 1989, a 3-2 win against Central Michigan.

“Getting WCC player of the week came as a shock,” Christian said. “It never crossed my mind. There were other guys in Cleveland that could have gotten it. We all played real well.”

In his third year at Loyola, Christian is the school’s all-time leader in points (38) and goals (17). This season he leads the team with 14 points on six goals and two assists.

Christian transferred to Loyola after his freshman season at U.S. International. The San Diego school discontinued the program.

Christian was a four-year starter and an all-state and Big Island Interscholastic Federation League selection at Hilo High. As a senior, he was the league most valuable player.

“I got a videotape of him in high school and I was impressed with him then,” Novakovic said. “But we were focusing on local players because we didn’t have the funding. Someone from Hawaii seemed a bit exotic a couple of years ago.”

Christian decided to transfer to Loyola because he saw an opportunity to play. Novakovic was excited with the decision.

“When I saw him during the first couple of practices I knew he would make an impact,” Novakovic said. “He hasn’t made more of an impact because we need to build players around him. His talents have really started to shine because we got him surrounded by better players. It’s tough to see him go because next year we’ll have more of those players.”

Christian already feels a sense of accomplishment because Loyola beat Cal State Fullerton, 4-3, on Oct. 1. Fullerton was ranked fourth in the nation at the time.

“That was an incredible feeling,” Christian said. “We were running all over, jumping on each other. It was the best win for Loyola, no question about it.”

In the WCC, most of the forwards Christian plays against are powerful 6-foot players. But playing against bigger and stronger athletes isn’t the tough part; it’s competing for a losing team.

“Sometimes it’s really hard to get motivated,” Christian said. “The losses get to you. It’s frustrating and it takes a toll.”

The Lions were 2-15-2 and 0-5 in the WCC last year. In six years, Loyola is 0-25 in league play. This season the Lions are 3-13, 0-4 in conference.

“Sometimes it’s kind of overwhelming to play against superstars,” Christian said. “But you have to try not to beat yourself mentally.”

Christian says he will try out for an indoor pro team after completing his eligibility at Loyola. He would also like to attend law school after earning a political science degree from Loyola.

Novakovic predicts that Christian will never lose his love for soccer.

“He has a passion for it,” Novakovic said. “I know that well into his 60s he’ll be kicking a soccer ball. His eyes light up when he sees the green field.”