Kryptonite, Hanalei to play in finals
Two shutouts governed play at the semifinals of the Kaua‘i Mens Soccer Associaion, Sunday at Hanapepe Stadium.
Both Hanalei, No. 2 seed, and top-seeded Kryptonite posted shutouts to set the stage for the KMSA finals that play Sunday at the Hanapepe Stadium.
Eduardo Araujo had two goals with Eric Desenberg netting a goal and an assist to lead Hanalei to a 4-0 win over the Afterburners in the first of the semifinal double-header.
Eddie Adams and Michael Chamberlain were able to chip through the solid Cane Fire defense to lead Kryptonite to a 2-0 win in the day’s finale.
According to KMSA’s Sue Strickland, Desenberg opened the Hanalei scorebooks on an assist from Colby Ayonon. But the Afterburners defense stiffened behind the efforts of Taylan Azeka, Ernie Camara, Ian Silver, Drew DesMaria, Cody Kimura and Leroy Emery and Hanalei settled for a 1-0 halftime lead.
Araujo charged back in the second half by capitalizing off a loose ball to notch Hanalei’s second score past Afterburners’ goalkeeper Curtis Kimura. He followed that score with his second score of the day on the Desenberg assist. Gustafo Ribeiro closed the books for Hanalei who got strong defensive work from Valmiki Davis, Ikaika Fuerte and Parker Blaylock to keep the Afterburners from getting on the books.
Josh Orphanitas, Juan Perez and Sean Kosen paced the Cane Fire defense that kept Kryptonite out of the net until late in the first half when Eddie Adams found the pocket off a Duncan MacDonald assist.
Cane Fire had its scoring opportunities on several windows in the first half, but Kryptonite goalkeeper Erik Baxter kept the door closed.
Chamberlain sealed the deal for Kryptonite in the second half with the Kryptonite defense paced by Tui Alapa, Kaena Mayer, Daniel Minei and Tyson Wakayama keeping the Cane Fire under tight control.
Sunday’s finals will pit the Afterburners against the Cane Fire for third place honors starting at 3 p.m.
Top-seeded Kryptonite will go up against Hanalei for the finals starting at 5:30 p.m.
Admission to the games is free, but donations, which will be presented to the Jamieson Cosier family, will be accepted.