MALIBU GOALKEEPER READY FOR TRIAL BY FIRE.

Byline: Jim Inghram Staff Writer

Claire Connor first dabbled in goal way back at 6 years old.

Now 16, Connor will receive her toughest challenge yet when the Malibu-based Southern California Soccer Club's under-17 team plays in the prestigious San Diego Surf Cup today through Monday.

Until now, Connor has shared time in goal. It was that way in club soccer and on her high school team at Westlake. This time, however, it's Connor who will get the bulk of the minutes. It's Connor who will be the team's final line of defense.

And it is Connor who could very well have the last say in whether the team advances or suffers defeat. The competition in the Super Group, where the SCSC is playing, is at such a high level and so closely matched that games being decided by penalty kicks would hardly be shocking.

``I like it much better this way,'' Connor said of getting a whole game in goal. ``It helps my confidence.''

Said Scot Murray, SCSC girls' director: ``She's been working out well through the summer. We'll really get to see how Claire does after this weekend. This is a big test for her and for the team.''

Connor, who is 5-foot-7 and agile, knows how to position herself and set up her defenders. It's her strength.

``I think she has been doing a great job so far,'' said Jenna Ainsworth, her teammate on the high school and club teams. ``She's good at keeping things under control back there. She always seems to know what to do.''

It comes with experience.

Although she didn't exclusively play in goal at age 6 (there are no specialists in AYSO), it's when she first started to play the position.

She developed an affinity for the spot and has stuck with it, even though many times it meant sharing time with a teammate.

``That's been tough sometimes,'' Connor said. ``But you just have to support your teammates and be ready to do the best you can when it is your turn.''

Connor has confidence in her ability, as does SCSC coach Cam Camarena.

``Claire has good form and good technique,'' said Camarena, who used to coach the L.A. Aztecs of the NASL and coaches the men's team at Santa Barbara City College. ``She has the talent. She just needs to be more hungry and aggressive.''

This weekend's Surf Cup will provide a unique challenge for Connor and her teammates.

Last year, as the Las Virgenes Blazers, playing under-16, the team made it to the semifinals before losing to the San Diego Surf.

Connor was in goal in the penalty-kick loss, but played brilliantly.

``It seems like we always make it pretty far,'' Connor said. ``Then we end up in second.''

The tournament not only has top teams but the added pressure of numerous college coaches looking for talent to fill their rosters.

``I'll try not to think about that,'' Connor said. ``Once the game starts it's pretty easy to block everything out, anyway.''