KAPA’A — Playing one man short, the Kapa’a Warriors kept the KIF title from travelling to Menehuneland as they took advantage of a lackluster Waimea second half offensive showing to score a sole goal for a 1-0 win. The tightly-fought
KAPA’A — Playing one man short, the Kapa’a Warriors kept the KIF title from travelling to Menehuneland as they took advantage of a lackluster Waimea second half offensive showing to score a sole goal for a 1-0 win.
The tightly-fought defensive contest saw Kapa’a’s Tyson Wakayama tagged for the red card offense during a midfield clash with a Waimea player, Wakayama being asked to leave the field at the 23:54 mark.
The defensive slugfest continued to a 0-0 halftime reading, and following adjustments, the Kapa’a defense returned tighter and more aggressive while the Menehune lagged.
Drawing on this, the Warrior capitalized on a penalty kick by Masai Bell at the 19:35 mark as Tui Alapa struck paydirt on the kick.
A frustrated Menehune team reaped two yellow cards before falling to Kapa’a, Joseph Mecham drawing one at the 24:50 mark, and Jeffrey Kakuda drawing another with 14:41 left.
The Menehune hammered away, drawing all their defenders up front, but the Warrior defense held firm as the clock ran out for Waimea, 1-0.
The Warrior victory sets the stage for Saturday, Jan. 31’s showdown with the Kaua’i Red Raider boys as both Waimea (4-2-0) and Kaua’i (4-3-0) are tied for the KIF lead at eight points apiece, Kapa’a improving to 2-5-0 and four points with this win, but setting the stage for a ‘must-win’ contest for both teams on Jan. 31.
Should Kaua’i win the Jan. 31 showdown, the earlier game that was called on account of lightning will be played, Waimea needing to win that game to force another KIF title showdown.
Game time for the boys is no earlier than 6:30 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium.
Earlier in the evening, Kapa’a and Waimea battled to a 0-0 tie despite both teams having scoring opportunities come up empty.
In the junior varsity contests, Gabe Roessler and Kahai Nakano each scored two goals, and Coty Salausa scoring one as the junior Warriors took a 6-1 win over Waimea, the Menehunes getting a goal from Froilan Tyler with the clock almost out.
Chasen Sherman and Kristen Takashima opened the books for a 2-0 halftime lead for Waimea JV girls, but Kapa’a answered back with a pair of Rancee Wilson goals in the second half for the 2-2 final.
