His bags were packed — he had his soccer cleats, his shin guards,his jersey and more importantly, his goalkeeper gloves.

Straight out of high school, San Diego State goalkeeper BrianBarnes headed for one of the most prestigious soccer universities inthe United States: the University of Washington.

“They have an exclusive program up there,” Barnes said. “It is oneof the best in the country. It’s a consistent top-20 team and that’swhat I was looking for coming out of high school.”

So, now it seemed Barnes had everything he wanted — or did he?Not only could he pursue his bachelor’s degree in businessadministration, but he could play for a program that was scoutedprofessionally.

However, this wasn’t enough for Barnes. He ended up redshirtinghis freshman year, which wasn’t what he expected.

“I wasn’t planning on redshirting,” Barnes said. “I was fightingfor a position the whole time.”

So, to help him fight for that position, he said he did a lot ofstrength training. But, as time went on, and strength training wasbecoming a bigger part of his life, Barnes realized he was actuallyreading and studying more about muscles than doing his businesshomework.

“(It was at this time) that I knew I was disinterested inbusiness,” Barnes said. “I started to like kinesiology.”

However, UW didn’t have a kinesiology program. Barnes said healways put school before soccer, and if he would have stayed at UW hewould have been lying to himself.

“I wanted to get an education first,” Barnes said. “And then letsoccer go where it should.”

At the same time, he was becoming disenchanted with how theHuskies coaches ran things. He said they failed to give the playersthe respect they deserved.

He decided to transfer. But which had kinesiology as a major and aDivision I soccer team?

SDSU.

Buteducation and lack of playing time weren’t the only influences inBarnes’ decision to transfer to SDSU.

One of his best friends currently plays for the team as well.Junior Kyle Wiggs, who grew up with Barnes in Aurora, Colo., is astandout defender for the Aztecs.

While still at Washington, Barnes came to San Diego in the Springof 1998 to visit Wiggs. After juggling his options during that trip,he finally made his decision to attend and play for SDSU.

And in doing so, became a good fit for the program.

“Brian has a flawless character,” Kirshner said. “He is amodel-type on and off the field. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper and apremier-type player both as a student and an athlete. We are veryfortunate to have him.

“He wants to be the best.”

In just his second season as an Aztec, Barnes has become an impactplayer.

In 11 games this season, he has recorded 55 (5.0 per game). Hiscareer total of 133 saves overall should break the current SDSUrecord held by assistant coach Matt Hall.

“You always love that kind of stuff (breaking records),” Barnessaid.

Although he’s destined to surpass his coach’s record, Barnes holdshim in high esteem.

“It makes me respect him a lot more since he is my coach now andhe helps me out,” Barnes said. “Matt cares more about the success ofthe team than preserving his own record.”

However, goalies who record a large number of saves are like freesafeties who lead their football teams in tackles. It means thedefense is allowing other teams to take shots.

Kirsher said he would like Barnes to see fewer shots.

“I want the shutouts to go up,” Kirshner said. “It’s unfortunatethat the team gives up that many shots.”

Barnes said his defense may give up those shots, but also said ithas covered for him on several occasions.

“The defense always helps me out,” Barnes said. “It’s a push and apull, a give and a take. They’re always there backing me up (if Imake a mistake) and vice versa. We work as a unit.”

Said backup goalkeeper Tim Edwards: “We have confidence in Brianin case the team makes a mistake.”

Barnes said he has noticed a big difference in how the twoprograms treat their players. There is a more democratic approach atSDSU, he said.

“Here, the coaches listen to your input,” he said. “(And for that)this team works harder. “I like having Lev as a coach because he andI have the same work ethic.”

Said Kirshner: “Brian is determined, competitive and a workhorse.”

Barnes will graduate in two years and plans to become a personaltrainer. For this academic-minded sophomore, soccer may become athing of the past.