LIHU‘E — The Young Madrid finished with a 5-0-1 record to claim the championship for the Silver Division at the Kirk Banks American Youth Soccer Organization tournament on O‘ahu last weekend. The boys from Kaua‘i’s Westside played in the AYSO
LIHU‘E — The Young Madrid finished with a 5-0-1 record to claim the championship for the Silver Division at the Kirk Banks American Youth Soccer Organization tournament on O‘ahu last weekend.
The boys from Kaua‘i’s Westside played in the AYSO Under 12 division last fall and finished with eligibility to try out for positions on a 12-player team, said Monica and Alan King in an email.
Coaches William Trugillo and Ramon Semblante took the helm of the new team which took the name of Young Madrid in honor of the Spanish professional soccer team Real Madrid.
Starting Thursday on O‘ahu, the Young Madrid finished with three wins and a tie to make it to the semifinals, blanking Mililani with an 8-0 score Thursday.
On Friday the Young Madrid repeated the feat, 8-0, shutting down an Aiea team before battling to a goalless tie against Kailua, Saturday.
Following the deadlock, Young Madrid went on to a 4-1 edge over West O‘ahu, the West O‘ahu score being the only one allowed in four games.
“Young Madrid scored four goals and shut out a Kaneohe team in the semifinals,” the Kings said in the email. “Advancing to the finals, West Kaua‘i’s Young Madrid outscored a team from Hilo, 10-1, and were named Silver Division champions.”
The Kings said although winning was exciting, the West Kaua‘i boys really enjoyed playing.
“The Kirk Banks Tournament recognizes sportsmanship as well as scores,” the Kings said. “The first team Young Madrid played, from Mililani, provided the boys, coaches and parents of Young Madrid with a full dinner buffet following the evening game.”
Throughout the tournament, teams exchanged pins, cookies, candied and other tokens of friendship and appreciation following each game.
Young Madrid members include Galen Agtunong, Shayden Duldulao, Ben Griep, Conor Hunt, Andrew King, Whitney Lugo, Nainoa Ragragola, Chaisen Ragragola-Palacio, Douglas Sears, Nicky Semblante, Hao Trugillo and Ethan Yamamoto.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
