STRENGTH FROM SORROW H.-W.'S REYES GAINED MATURITY CARING FOR DYING FATHER.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

At a time when many talented soccer players are developing their skills, Dana Reyes was at the side of her dying father. She had given up sports to be with Johnny Reyes as he battled the disease and ultimately lost, when the girl was 12.

Three years later, as a freshman at Harvard-Westlake High, she'll be the starting goalkeeper when the Wolverines face Louisville today for the Southern Section Division IV championship. This even though she last played soccer as a sixth-grader.

A significant challenge? Not really, not after what she's been through.

``If anything, it probably made me stronger,'' Reyes, 15, said of her loss. ``I guess it did make me more mature because it's such a big thing. It's like a huge milestone in my life.''

Reyes was a standout player on one of the area's top club teams - Valley United Stars - but gave up soccer to be at her father's side. It was a request from her mother and she understood the reasoning.

``I needed to spend more time with someone who didn't have that much time left,'' Dana Reyes said.

Reyes decided it was time to return to sports as a seventh-grader at Harvard-Westlake but had to make a choice for her winter activity: basketball or soccer?

She chose basketball, a sport in which she's good enough to become a future star. However, she missed soccer by the time she reached her freshman year and made the switch.

Several of her former Valley United Stars teammates - Tracy Lansing, Gina Farias-Eisner, Lindsay Flacks and Jamie Artsis - play for Harvard- Westlake and encouraged her to join them. They didn't have to twist her arm.

``I really jumped at the opportunity to play high school varsity soccer my freshman year,'' Reyes said.

Harvard-Westlake coach Ned Smith had plenty of field talent but was desperate to audition anyone with goalkeeping experience to replace four-year regular Sarah Deckers. The only returning goalie, Marcie Benitez, was out until at least Christmas with a dislocated collarbone.

That opened the door for Reyes. Aware of her potential, Smith expected her to be ``rusty'' initially. However, her courage and determination were never questioned after what happened in her first practice.

``Out comes Dana Reyes. She's down, in her stance and bang! Right in the mouth. And blood,'' said Smith, describing a low-trajectory shot that bounced off the turf and into Reyes' face.

That's where the story ended. Reyes wiped away the blood and prepared for the next ball.

``I was so used to sixth-grade shots coming at me. After a few years, I have high school girls shooting at me,'' Reyes said. ``And it just hit me in the lips and cut me. I felt kind of stupid.... Eventually, I got more into the game.''

Try almost instantly. Reyes never wilted through Harvard-Westlake's arduous nonleague schedule, which included Westlake, Buena and Chatsworth. The 18-3-4 Wolverines went 8-2 in Mission League play.

Reyes kept her team afloat through two overtimes in Tuesday's semifinal with top-seeded Corona del Mar before Lansing scored the game winner in sudden death.

``I actually was surprised that she'd be able to step up in big games,'' junior defender Kim LaVere said, ``especially since she wasn't playing soccer for a couple years.... As a goalie, there's a lot of pressure on you when you're the last one back.

``I've never really seen her get worked up. She's very relaxed. She feels comfortable because we made her feel comfortable on this team.''

The Wolverines are just as confident when a shot is kicked or headed in Reyes' direction. She's registered 10 shutouts and has the Wolverines on the brink of a section championship.

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Photo: Dana Reyes will be starting goalkeeper when Harvard-Westlake faces Louisville today for the Southern Section Division IV title.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer