HANAPEPE — The Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation soccer season saved its best for last with everything on the line as Kapa’a kept their end of the bargain with a 3-0 win in the girls match, and a 1-1 tie in the
HANAPEPE — The Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation soccer season saved its best for last with everything on the line as Kapa’a kept their end of the bargain with a 3-0 win in the girls match, and a 1-1 tie in the boys contest against the Menehune.
The Warrior boys stayed one point ahead of Waimea with one regular-season match to go. If the Menehune win on Saturday against the Red Raiders, they will win their second straight KIF title. However, if Kaua’i prevails, the Warriors will walk away with the title. A tie would force a one-game playoff for the championship.
Meanwhile, the Kapa’a girls climbed three points ahead of Kaua’i, with one Red Raiders-Menehune match to go in the regular season finale on Saturday.
The Red Raiders have to win to force a one-game playoff for all the marbles.
Last night, it was a defensive battle in the boys’ match, with freshman Tyler Tangelder nailing Kapa’a’s lone goal in the first half, which handed his team the 1-0 advantage at the midpoint of the contest.
Waimea woke up in the second half, as Chad “Mighty Mouse” Thompson assisted a Kenny Estes’ score, which tied the game up at 1-1. Both teams relied upon strong play by their goalies, Coty Salausa of Kapa’a and Tyren Sakuda of Waimea, to keep the game at a 1-1 standstill.
The girls’ contest was a defensive battle in the first half, with Kapa’a exploding for three unanswered goals in the second stanza.
Jocelyn Enrique, Kalia Mayer, and Tiana Kunioka slammed home scores for the Warriors. Maegan Pablo, the Warrior goalie, was tough in the goal for the shutout. Waimea tender, Karmn Rivel, put in a stellar performance, but couldn’t keep up with the second-half Warrior offensive avalanche.
KIF soccer ends its regular season Saturday with Waimea facing off against Kaua’i at Hanapepe Stadium. Boys varsity action begins at 1:30 p.m., with the girls starting at 3:30 p.m.
