Parker Blaylock bounced the ball off another player for the goal with just a few seconds remaining. That goal clinched the game and title for the Mermaids with a 3-2 edge over the Coconuts at the Kaua‘i Soccer Club’s Sassy/Jets
Parker Blaylock bounced the ball off another player for the goal with just a few seconds remaining.
That goal clinched the game and title for the Mermaids with a 3-2 edge over the Coconuts at the Kaua‘i Soccer Club’s Sassy/Jets tournament over the weekend.
Captained by Ashley Camat, the Coconuts, ranked No. 1 in the standings for the BU12-U18, advanced to meet the Mermaids by blanking Sonya Tupou’s Spartans 4-0 in the semifinals in a strong defensive showing led by Natasha Pigao.
The Mermaids, under scrutiny from the Coconuts, edged the Dragons 2-1 behind Blaylock’s performance in the goalbox despite good passing from Zaimana Fernandez and Kawai Davis of the Dragons, who also got an assist from Katelyn Kaona.
Passes from Brittney Carvalho to Brycen Phillips netted the Coconuts its two goals while Mermaids’ captain Trever Paik, Zari Fernandez, Sunny Ohlen, Lily Frederickson, Keale Lee and Blaylock led the Mermaids.
Chono Fernandez, Jr. was happy playing with the older players and Sierra Riemer beamed after scoring her goal in the younger BU8-GU12 age group.
KSC-Blazing Angels had to play against each other on different teams with Kaiimi Moniz, Jordan Tabonir and Haylei Sheldon on the Dare Devils team who lost to the Condors in the shootout in the semifinals.
Cool People with Madeline Blaylock, Eryka Keoho and Cassie Wilson were eliminated in the semifinals to the Eagles.
The Eagles and Condors advanced to the final game which pitted Joni Hashizume and Casey Nakamura on the Condors team against Cassidy Yatsko, Alanna Bauman and Krista Bolton.
Good soccer plays by the Condors’ Hashizume, Nakamura, Kamanakai Lee, Kiana Fores, Andres Elzuardia and Kahi Davis earned them the title and a place on the perpetual trophy.
The tournament celebrates the end of the Hawai‘i Youth Soccer Association spring season as Kaua‘i Soccer Club players and families congregated for the fun tournament in Kilauea.
Game play saw players placed on mixed teams with each team coming up with its own moniker while captains assigned positions on the field and players coaching themselves through game play.