KALAHEO — Lihu‘e A (Blue) lost little time setting the pace on Thursday afternoon at Kalawai as Jacey Ageno sifted through heavy traffic at the goalmouth for the first goal less than two minutes into play. Ten minutes later, Lihu‘e
KALAHEO — Lihu‘e A (Blue) lost little time setting the pace on Thursday afternoon at Kalawai as Jacey Ageno sifted through heavy traffic at the goalmouth for the first goal less than two minutes into play.
Ten minutes later, Lihu‘e A defender Stephanie Kashiwabara launched one from midfield that soared over the arms of Ashton Pigao for the second goal of the contest.
A spectator noted that these were probably the strongest teams in the AYSO 16-19 seven-a-side program, and the defense headed by Lihu‘e A’s Kashiwabara and Amber Thronas was as good as they come, the duo keeping numerous Shauna Tachibana and Janee Correa shot attempts clear of the goal mouth.
Following the two quick goals, the matchup shifted into defense mode as Lihu‘e B tried to score on numerous attempts that were greeted by Thronas and Kashiwabara at the goal.
Lihu‘e B goalie Pigao got a workout as she kept numerous goals out of the net, but at a price.
“I got stepped on,” she said following their loss to Lihu‘e A. “I felt it (the pain) go all the way up my arm.”
Lihu‘e B defender Kelcie Morita also had a workout, trying to keep the strong Lihu‘e A pressure upfield.
Correa kept the pressure on, and in the final second of play, prevented a shutout as she sunk a goal on the last play of the game.
Lihu‘e A will play the winner of Friday afternoon’s contest that will feature the Lihu‘e B and Koloa at Kalawai Park.
In a second game that was being played on an adjacent field, the Kalaheo A girls edged out Lihu‘e in a 14 Under girls game with Skye Shimabukuro scoring two goals for Kalaheo.
Lauren Riley added a goal in the first half to give Kalaheo a 2-0 halftime lead that was answered by Lihu‘e’s Tiffany Ikeda’s goal followed by the second Shimabukuro goal that nailed the win.
