The Garden Island Men’s Soccer League regular season began back in early October. Futballer’s from across the island have been commuting almost every Sunday to the Wailua homestead field in order to play grinding, physical, ninety-minute games, each followed by
The Garden Island Men’s Soccer League regular season began back in early October.
Futballer’s from across the island have been commuting almost every Sunday to the Wailua homestead field in order to play grinding, physical, ninety-minute games, each followed by equally grueling celebration.
Well after a 34 games, 125 goals, 21 yellow cards, 7 red cards, and multiple twisted and pulled joints, the season has now produced the ranking for the double elimination island championship playoff tournament.
Over the last few games, Hanalei Soccer Club nudged past the Wailua Kryptonite, who held the top spot in the standings for most of the season, and clinched first place. With Wailua in second, the Westside Afterburners received the third slot, followed by the upstart Kapaa Hui, in the fourth and final ranking. The playoffs will begin in June at the Waoli Field in Hanalei.
– This past Sunday, the Westside Afterburners played Hanalei S.C, in their final games of the regular season. In their last encounters, the Westside had defeated Hanalei twice and tied them once. This shows how tight the first three teams are going into the playoffs. At first this trend seemed to be continuing, as they led the game at half time, 1-0.
Alberto Gomez (Hanalei goalie), dove sideways to save a shot from going in the corner, he deflected the ball up and off the cross bar. The ball came down to the awaiting head of Adrian Nichols, who followed the shot in. But this would prove to be the last goal from the Burners in the regular season.
Hanalei came back with four unanswered goals in the second half. Tom Green air-mailed a free kick from the forty-yard area to the back corner of the goal, off the inside of the post. Anthony Tangelder knocked in a rebound. Cola Lindman slid a pass through the middle to Kiana Oliver, who doesn’t miss opportunities that good. The final goal came from Leo Antunez, who took a great shot keeping the ball low and placed it in the corner from 25 yards out. The victory gave Hanalei S.C. the first place trophy, with the help of their sponsor, Country Brokers, and in part by the Hanalei Gourmet.
– The Wailua Kryptonite topped Kapaa Hui 4-3 in another TGI Soccer League matchup. Kaena Mayer started the scoring off be heading in a cross from the outside. Minutes later, Duncan McDonald soared over the flat-footed defense of the Kapaa Hui and headed in a corner kick. This open display dropped an ember on the Hui, which would later develop into a flame. But for the first half the Wailua Kryptonite appeared to have the game under control. They ended the first half up 3-0, following a second goal from Mayer, who this time screamed past the defense, and finished his ball.
Kapaa was not going down without a fight.
Jason Brown chipped a ball over the charging Wailua goalie, getting him his first goal in Men’s league history.
Peter Ricciardi knocked the egg in the basket after it deflected off the cross bar to him.
Now a one-goal game, Kapaa was back in it.
Eddie Adams tried to stomp out their fire, by persevering through two defenders and touching the ball in. Leo Santiago brought it back to a one-goal deficit by stealing the ball and bending it around the goalkeeper. A possible tying shot hit the post right as the whistle blew. The second half was the best the Kapaa Hui has played since their upstart six weeks back.
A friendly match will be held between the Hanalei S. C. and the Wailua Kryptonite, at noon on Sunday, at the Hanalei field, all are welcome to watch.
