A coach's desire to visit Hawai'i resulted in recruiting two soccer players who have contributed to Rutgers' national ranking.

Glenn Crooks discovered forward Caycie Gusman and midfielder Ashley Medcalf, both Advertiser All-State players, who were nowhere on his radar during recruiting.

He saw Gusman at the 2006 Hawai'i Youth Soccer Association Senior All-Star game that took place in conjunction with HYSA's Olympic Development Program. The next year, he saw Medcalf.

"I saw both of them (there) for the first time and only time in the recruiting process," said Crooks, who received an e-mail requesting coaches for ODP and jumped at the chance to visit Hawai'i for the first time. "For us, it was fortunate that they hadn't made any firm commitments."

Gusman, a 2006 Kamehameha graduate, was named the Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Week Monday after scoring in both of Rutgers' 1-0 wins this past week.

"I'm just really happy that the team is doing well and that we're getting the wins when we need them," Gusman said. "It's a complete team effort; our defense is playing incredible."

She was also selected to the Soccer America Team of the Week yesterday.

It couldn't have been better timing for Gusman, whose mom Stephanie, father Les and sister Cydnee are in town visiting her and were able to see both games.

"They are both contributing mightily to what is now the 14th-ranked team in the nation," Crooks said.

The Scarlet Knights are ranked by Soccer America (No. 14), National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas (No. 21), SoccerBuzz (No. 23), Soccer Times (T-No. 23) and Top Drawer Soccer (No. 28).

Gusman scored in the 82nd minute on a shot into the upper right corner of the goal against Pittsburgh Friday, then followed that game with a goal in the 70th minute against then-No. 9 West Virginia Sunday.

Gusman, who was also named the conference player of the week Sept. 1, leads Rutgers with seven goals, a number that ranks her in the top 10 in the Big East.

Crooks said hints of what he saw from them in the high school all-star game came to fruition when they came to Rutgers.

"(Gusman) did things without the ball in setting herself up for opportunities," Crooks said. "The work she does off the ball to set herself up has really been a part of her game; one of the reasons she's been so successful this year. Now she's finishing. She's a lot more opportunistic."

Medcalf, a 2007 Christian Academy alum, redshirted last year to heal from a knee injury she suffered while playing high school basketball. She has started all 12 games in a surprise role. Eight players were lost this season, due to injuries or duties with various national teams.

"I had always targeted her as a center back, but she ended up in the midfield," Crooks said. "She sits in front of the back four, is great in the air and she's become a better one-v-one defender."

He listed Medcalf's presence, technical strengths, and calmness in tight situations as assets to this year's squad.

Gusman didn't know much about the New Jersey school until coach Crooks approached her. She was considering West Coast schools, and heavily looked at UNLV.

"I waited, and the opportunity at Rutgers came along," she said. "I went on my visit and that was it."

It was the combination of athletics and academics that appealed to Gusman, who was just accepted into Rutgers Business School and is thinking about law school.

Gusman was Medcalf's host during her recruiting visit, and said "it's awesome," that two players from Hawai'i play for the Scarlet Knights.

"We can connect, being so far from home," Gusman said. "She's funny, and we room together for preseason. We weren't on the same teams at home, but now we are."

Although they didn't play together, they knew each other because they go to the same church, Calvary Chapel.

Gusman's religious background helped in her decision to attend school so far from home.

"Just knowing that all my talents come from God and He's going to use me to minister to other people, I don't have to worry so much," Gusman said. "It just gave me courage to go somewhere I didn't know anyone, and the courage to meet new people and not be afraid to be myself."

Gusman and Medcalf have set a strong standard for players from Hawai'i.

"I'm hoping to get back this March, and now I am recruiting another Hawai'i player who I probably wouldn't have known about if I never got there," Crooks said. "I will continue to look at Hawai'i. It's done well for us."