LIHU‘E — Elections did not stop the soccer games from taking place Tuesday as the Will Veeck soccer tournament hosted a Girls 12 and younger match and a game between the Boys 14 and youger. Parents, normally working, capitalized on
LIHU‘E — Elections did not stop the soccer games from taking place Tuesday as the Will Veeck soccer tournament hosted a Girls 12 and younger match and a game between the Boys 14 and youger.
Parents, normally working, capitalized on the semi-holiday to turn out and support their keiki, lining both sides of the games at the North Vidinha fields.
Halia of the Koloa Angry Birds had a birthday present ahead of her dinner outing with her family as Kaylee netted a hat trick, or three goals in the second period, to lead the Koloa Angry Birds to a 3-2 edge over the Wailua Killazs in the Girls 12 and youger matchup.
Despite being outsized by some of the pink-shirted Killazs, the Angry Birds persisted, getting solid coaching from the sidelines as they gave up goals to Hunter Rodgers and Shailu Crivello in the first half.
But the Birds chipped back and when Kaylee scored her go-ahead goal, it only served to stoke the Angry Birds who demonstrated its best performance on both sides of the ball in the third period.
The pink shirts turned on the offense in the final stanza, working to overcome the digit deficit, but Koloa was able to hold them at bay to preserve their 3-2 edge and triggering the girls to erupt in a round of “Happy Birthday” for the birthday girl who played strong in both the first half offense and second half defense.
Over on the boys’ field, the Westside United played tough, but could not overcome the tenacity and strength of the Northshore Psychos in the Boys 14 and younger matchup.
Brandon Beydoun highlighted the strength of the Kilauea boys, improving on a 3-1 halftime lead by striking a hat trick in the second half for the 6-3 final.
Tieman Kehoe had a Psycho goal with Tanner Fredicksen adding a pair of nets in the second period to account for the 3-1 lead at the break.
Kody, CJ and Isaiah, the tenacious midfielder, accounted for the Westside goals, Isaiah breaking through the tough defensive wall of Kamanakai Lee, Wyatt Harrison and Tieman Kehoe for the final score of the game.
Games continue through Saturday featuring the top two teams in the 12 and younger and 14 and younger divisions of the American Youth Soccer Organization, Regions 940 and 941 at the North Vidinha fields.
Championship games are scheduled for Saturday.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
