Malu Vegas netted four goals to clinch a berth for Kalaheo (Lono) in the Under 14 Girls championship. In Kalaheo, Real Waimea defensive back Bailey San Agustin-Nordmeier connected from near the mid-field mark to break a 1-1 defensive slugfest and
Malu Vegas netted four goals to clinch a berth for Kalaheo (Lono) in the Under 14 Girls championship.
In Kalaheo, Real Waimea defensive back Bailey San Agustin-Nordmeier connected from near the mid-field mark to break a 1-1 defensive slugfest and give Waimea a 2-1 edge over the Lihu‘e Shooting Stars in an Under 12 Girls matchup at Kalawai field. The win advances Real Waimea to the U12G finals berth Monday against the Kaua‘i Stingers.
Vegas, limited to just one goal in an earlier contest, fought against a strong Kawehi Louis Diamond defensive effort to come up with a hat trick in the second half as Kalaheo took a 7-1 win over Lihu‘e (Motosue) to advance to the regional championships for American Youth Soccer Organization, Region 940, Thursday afternoon.
The win pits Kalaheo (Lono) against Waimea Team Onipa‘a who earlier clinched a championship berth with a 4-1 win over Kalaheo (Lono). That game will take place at Hanapepe Stadium on Monday starting at 6 p.m.
If Kalaheo, with one loss, picks up a win Monday, it will advance to a rematch on Wednesday, also at Hanapepe Stadium.
Similarly, Real Waimea will face off against the undefeated Kaua‘i Stingers coached by Concetta Ijima for the U12G championship starting at 4:30 p.m. at Hanapepe Stadium. If Real Waimea picks up a win in this match, a rematch will take place Wednesday at Hanapepe Stadium.
Caitlyn Rapozo, finishing with two goals in Kalaheo’s win, opened the books by outracing her Lihu‘e defender and taking a shot from just inside the penalty box. That goal was followed by a net from Vegas and Mia Cabulisan for the 3-0 halftime lead.
But Lihu‘e was not to be denied as Louis Diamond unleashed her powerful legs and booted the sole Lihu‘e goal on a smack to goal from kickoff, the ball being stopped by Kalaheo goalkeeper Emma Sloan but ricocheting over her and into the net.
Lihu‘e tried this tactic three times in the match, and on another attempt, Louis Diamond was almost successful before Kalaheo goalkeeper Hayley Waicha pushed the ball wide.
A Vegas hat trick and another Rapozo goal in the second half iced the trip to the regionals for the Kalaheo (Lono) blueshirts.
Real Waimea answered a 1-0 Shooting Stars’ first-half lead in the third quarter when Bailey Kaneakalau netted a score from the leftside to tie the match.
