HANAPEPE — The Kaua‘i Red Raiders stepped up when it mattered most and cemented a spot in the HHSAA Division II state soccer tournament with a 2-1 shootout victory over the visiting Mid-Pacific Institute Owls, Saturday afternoon at Hanapepe Stadium.
HANAPEPE — The Kaua‘i Red Raiders stepped up when it mattered most and cemented a spot in the HHSAA Division II state soccer tournament with a 2-1 shootout victory over the visiting Mid-Pacific Institute Owls, Saturday afternoon at Hanapepe Stadium.
Not having to go to an extra time or shootout format during KIF play, the Raiders seemed comfortable with the pressure and knocked off the Owls behind a strong showing from goalie Kawehi Louis-Diamond, who made a crucial stop in the shootout to give her team a needed cushion.
Kylie Tanaguchi stepped up first and drilled her shot to give Kaua‘i the early lead, which it extended after a Kate Hendrix miss for Mid-Pac and a Malia Kagawa make for Kaua‘i.
The Owls’ Elle Watson made her shot to make it 2-1, after which the two teams traded misses, first on an Alexa Tamashiro misfire, followed by a diving save by Louis-Diamond on a Lindsey Tsutsui attempt.
Teal Basquez then missed just right for the Raiders, giving Mid-Pac another chance to even the score, but Mahina Quinn’s shot sailed over the goal.
Dayna Fujii was the fifth Kaua‘i shooter and a make would send her team to the state tournament.
She calmly stepped behind the ball and knocked her shot into the lower left corner of the goal, prompting her teammates to jump to their feet and pile on in jubilation.
The Raiders got on the board first in regulation, as Alyssa Vegas, better known as Malu, put in the game’s first score in the 10th minute from inside the box.
Kaua‘i had a chance to add to its advantage when Vegas made another run deep into Mid-Pac territory. She maneuvered past the goalie and ripped a shot on goal. The Owl defender got in front of the ball, but committed a hand ball, setting up a penalty kick.
Kagawa took the PK, but her shot sailed over the top right post, keeping it a 1-0 game.
Mid-Pac had a surprising shot just before the half, when a Taylor Higa free kick turned out to be a spinning grounder that Louis-Diamond had to make a diving stop on.
After a Kaua‘i-controlled early portion of the second half, Mid-Pac got a free kick from about 35 yards out on the right side of the field. Higa again took the kick, sending a sailing ball into the box.
Louis-Diamond first came in on it, misjudging the shot’s depth. By the time she realized her mistake, the ball was over her outstretched arms and ended up in the net for the game-tying score.
The goalie appeared distraught after the score, but the Raider defenders did their best to pump her back up.
The goal seemed to energize the Owls, who picked up their attack and controlled the possession in the Raiders defensive half.
They had another chance on a Higa free kick from about five yards outside the box, but it sailed over the goal.
The teams went to extra time showing little sign of fatigue and continued to use the whole field. Basquez made a sprinting tackle on what was almost an Alia Kaohi breakaway for Mid-Pac.
She also had the best chance Kaua‘i saw in the extra time, coming all the way up from her defensive position on a Kagawa corner kick to the back post. Basquez leapt and got a good header on the ball, but it was just too high and did not find the post.
Tyra Tandal and Saryna Garcia were each defensive stoppers throughout the match, with Garcia’s throw-ins proving to be a consistent field-position weapon.
The HHSAA Division II girls soccer tournament will begin Wednesday with both Kaua‘i and the Kapa‘a Lady Warriors among the participants.
The tournament draw has not yet been determined, though it is expected to be released today.
