A couple of young footballers from Kauai claimed a trophy on the Mainland.
Jacob Grossman and Javin Hennessy, who both play for local youth soccer club Keahi SC, joined neighbor island club Maui United for the Albion Cup National Showcase in San Diego, Calif.
Maui United won the boys 13-and-under tournament on Monday, defeating a California team in the finals, 2-1.
“It was pretty good. We dominated the whole game. I was considered MVP because I scored both goals,” Grossman said in a phone interview Tuesday. “It was pretty crazy. The atmosphere was really big. There was a lot of people that came to watch our game.”
Grossman, 12, of Kekaha, played center forward. He said his second goal was the game-winner in overtime to clinch.
“In extra time, the first half, I barely tapped it. I barely scored the goal. It’s pretty rare,” he said. “I kicked the ball. I megged the keeper, and we were all celebrating after that because it was golden goal. We’re all celebrating. The ref called the end of the game, and we were all crying happy tears. It was awesome.”
Hennessy, 12, of Anahola, played winger. It was his first tournament on the Mainland.
“I can say that the atmosphere was insane,” Hennessy said Tuesday. “There were many, many teams, and everyone was good. Everyone was striving to win that cup, so the games were intense but just really fun.”
Hennessy scored in the semifinals Sunday to help Maui United advance.
“My buddy, Jacob Grossman, he drew in defenders with the ball. He found me open on the wing, and he passed to me. Then, I slotted it into the bottom corner,” he said of that goal. “So, it was a team goal between the two Kauai boys.”
Before the Albion Cup, Grossman was in Spain with club Promesas del Norte and competed in the Costa Blanca Cup.
Grossman got the chance to go to Europe after working with Adriano De Lima Culture FC, who has hosted a number of clinics on Kauai.
“It was an amazing experience. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life,” Grossman said. “Of any tournament, Spain was definitely the best because everyone was into the sport. In America, people are like, ‘I like soccer, but I’d rather do this.’ In Spain, if you like football, you die for football. That’s all you do. That’s pretty cool.”
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
