LIHU‘E — The Koloa Strikers scored first, but came up short 4-2 against the Lihu‘e Clovers in an elimination bracket game at the American Youth Soccer Organization, Region 940 playoffs, Tuesday at the North Vidinha fields. “This is the hardest
LIHU‘E — The Koloa Strikers scored first, but came up short 4-2 against the Lihu‘e Clovers in an elimination bracket game at the American Youth Soccer Organization, Region 940 playoffs, Tuesday at the North Vidinha fields.
“This is the hardest they’ve played all season,” said Randy Harker, a team grandfather. He was not alone as spectators admired the strong showing of the lavendar-shirted Strikers from Koloa.
The Strikers took control of the ball early on the face off, and working through heavy traffic near the goal box, capitalized when Brianna Griep scored as the Clover goalkeeper misjudged the ball less than five minutes into the game.
With strong play from its stopper, one of the smallest players on the field, and good ball movement from its midfielders, Koloa kept the Clovers at bay through the first quarter.
But following the readjustments on the quarter-break, the Clovers reversed the game, taking control over a hard-pressing Koloa team.
On a breakaway down the wing, Adrienne Graycochea crossed the ball to a waiting Macy Tamura who netted the answering goal for the 1-1 deadlock.
Tamura followed that goal with another from the right corner less than five minutes later for the 2-1 Clover bulge at the half.
Koloa tried to adjust in the half, working to take advantage of the wind at its back and the downhill slope, but the Clovers found Seana Date open and she scored on a quick shot past the Koloa goalie.
Tamura netted her hat trick in the fourth quarter on the uphill run, waiting to take the cross from Graycochea.
Koloa, working with its spectators pouring encouragement from the sidelines, was able to put in another net as Griep went up the middle and scored on a second effort as the shot-on-goal from the left wing bounced off the goalie’s gloves to a waiting Griep.
The victory puts two Lihu‘e teams in the finals of the Under 12 Girls bracket as the Lihu‘e Strikers advanced to the Nov. 2 finals at Hanapepe Stadium with an undefeated record after beating the Waimea Highlighters, Saturday at the North Vidinha fields.
Cheryl Perreira, the Lihu‘e Town Manager, said Jacee Perreira and Kristin Kawamura led the Lihu‘e scoring to preserve its undefeated record.
Earlier in the playoffs, the Lihu‘e Strikers blanked the Clovers, 8-0, last Tuesday, and with the win over Koloa, the Clovers once again meet the Strikers — this time for the title of AYSO, Region 940 U12 Girls.
Scores from two other playoff games, a U12 Boys match between Hanapepe and Lihu‘e at Hanapepe, and a U12 Boys match between Koloa and Kalaheo at the Kalawai Park were unavailable at press time.
Playoffs continue Thursday with two games on tap. The Under 12 Boys meet at either Hanapepe or Lihu‘e, and the Under 12 Girls play at Waimea. Both games start at 4:30 p.m.
