Stephanie Cram scored with five seconds remaining in overtime and Hanakila’s defense smothered the Galaxy to give the Under 12 championships to the American Youth Soccer Organization, Region 941, Wednesday night. Cram, playing on all sides of the field for
Stephanie Cram scored with five seconds remaining in overtime and Hanakila’s defense smothered the Galaxy to give the Under 12 championships to the American Youth Soccer Organization, Region 941, Wednesday night.
Cram, playing on all sides of the field for the Hot Tamales, got her window late in the first of two eight-minute Golden Goal overtimes when she opened up in traffic to boot the go-ahead goal.
That gave the Wailua Hot Tamales a 3-2 edge over the Kaua‘i Stingers for the Under 12 Girls championship.
Hanakila, the Under 12 Boys team from Kilauea, took a totally different approach as it struck early with two goals before settling down to some serious defense that frustrated the strong Kalaheo Galaxy to take a 2-1 margin at the final whistle.
Following a defensive stalemate in the first quarter, the Stingers opened on a nice cross when Brandy Racca scored on a cross from Kaylee Balbarino from the right wing for the 1-0 bulge at the half.
The third quarter was filled with fireworks as both teams notched goals, the Stingers striking first when Pili Chung scored off a corner kick from Jessica Villanueva, the right wing playing one of her strongest games in the season.
But the Tamales rose to the challenge, scoring two goals in the second half as Cassie Wilson netted a goal on a penalty kick.
Following more serious defense from both sides, the Tamales got a window midway in the final period when the Stingers’ goalkeeper misplayed the ball and Jahlia Vidinha was at her doorstep to follow the ball into the net to force the overtime.
Hanakila lost little time getting down to business as it scored two quick goals in the first quarter before settling down to solid defense and stymie the Kalaheo Galaxy.
“That was some of the best defense I’ve seen,” said Bob French, one of the AYSO, Region 940, leaders. “They took care of business early and just played solid defense. It was a really good game.”
Anchored by Jackson McCullough, playing goalie and stopper, Hanakila opened with a goal from Koalani Kallai before netting its second goal by Kai Harrison less than two minutes later.
The Galaxy had its opportunities, but midfielder Jarred Okayama was limited to long shots from the outside, or rushed shot attempts as the Hanakila defense shrouded the Kalaheo field.
Jarren Takekuma got solid help from Brock DeCosta, whose light touch found Okayama in the middle, and Coleman Jonas whose equally light touch effectively moved the ball away from the fast-descending Hanakila front headed up by Eric Potter playing the wing.
Justin Garma was covered with a taller player, and finally was able to break through in the last period to net the Galaxy’s only score early in the period.
