KALAHEO – For the salmon-garbed AYSO U14 girls from Waimea, the search for “W” has taken three years. Darlene Yamase, one of the parents in attendance at Saturday’s U14 playoffs at Kalawai Park explained that the girls have not won
KALAHEO – For the salmon-garbed AYSO U14 girls from Waimea, the search for “W” has taken three years.
Darlene Yamase, one of the parents in attendance at Saturday’s U14 playoffs at Kalawai Park explained that the girls have not won a game in three years.
“We treat each point like they’ve won the game,” Yamase said. The goals have also come sparingly, only three of the team’s roster having notched goals.
Soccer players that are 14 years old are already experienced in the rules of the game, basic field and ball handling skills, and many are honed to the next level of play, but Yamase said that unlike other teams in the 14-year-old bracket, many of the girls are first-time players which mean they have no experience playing the game.”At least half of the girls (on the roster) are probably playing for the first time,” Yamase pointed out.
“But, their spirit is undefeatable,” Yamase said of the team that is made up of players from Hanapepe, ‘Ele‘ele, Waimea, Kekaha, and Mana. The coaches for the Waimea U14 girls are also newcomers – both seniors at Waimea High School.
Wailea Arquette starred in the Menehune JV football program and soccer, but an injury sidelined him, and he now heads up the salmon-jersied girls alongside David Honma, another Menehune who has been seen starring in cross country, tennis, and soccer.
“He’s been playing for AYSO for about 10 years,” Eric Honma, David’s father said. “This is his way of giving something back.”
“Actually, when he came home and announced that he was going to be coaching, I was shocked,” Eric said.
Melissa Kagawa drew first blood for Waimea as the sidelines erupted in cheer from the spectators.
“They both have to win (to advance). The loser is eliminated,” noted the gathering Kalaheo U14 girls in purple who would take the field following the Lihu‘e/Waimea matchup.”We played both teams, and they’re good,” the girls noted while watching Moana Henriques turn numerous Lihu‘e advances towards the goal. “Our only loss came from the other Kalaheo team.”
But, despite strong defensive efforts led by Waimea’s Henriques, Lihu‘e answered on a Aimee Palaroan shot up the middle for the 1-1 stalemate, Palaroan’s height giving her an advantage over the shorter Waimea sweeper.
Kathleen Cadiente’s quickness on the field sped around the Waimea defense as she notched a pair of goals for the eventual 3-1 Lihu‘e victory.
The win puts Lihu‘e into the Thursday afternoon contest at Kalawai Park starting at 4:30 p.m.
For Jillian Yamase, Melissa Kagawa, Caira Sakahashi, Macay Parongao, Hamiha Arquette, Carolyn Broyles, Danielle Tayco, Mariah Teter, Raina Teter, Moana Henriques, Molly Connelly, and Erin Connelly, there’s always next year.
“But, this is the kind of decision that makes a parent proud,” the elder Honma said.
