Ten soccer teams representing all the age groups from Kaua’i will be spending Thanksgiving in Mililani at the 12th annual Mililani 7-A-Side Soccer Tournament. The Lihu’e Tornadoes under coach Bill and Darrellyn Lemke, taking the U10 championships on a shootout
Ten soccer teams representing all the age groups from Kaua’i will be spending Thanksgiving in Mililani at the 12th annual Mililani 7-A-Side Soccer Tournament.
The Lihu’e Tornadoes under coach Bill and Darrellyn Lemke, taking the U10 championships on a shootout against the Tunda girls, will be facing Power Edge SC, Riggers ’95 White, Hawai’i Rush Talaria, and Real HFC ’97 in the BU10 bracket.
The Lihu’e Cougars under coach Jeff Mendez and Vic Nemeth, another championship team, will play in the BU11 division against the HSC Bulls ’95, Rigger ’94 Green, and Ka’oi SC Scorpions.
Westside United, who fell to the Cougars in the U12 championships, under coaches Scott Fisher and Kenny Chicoine will play in the BU12 division against HSC Bulls ’94 Ka’ele, HSC Bulls ’94 Ka’ula and Hawai’i Rush ’94 Nike.
Richard and Lynn Minei will introduce the KSC-Blazing Angels to the tournament as they take the field in the U10 division against Honolulu Storm SC ’96, Hawai’i Rush Nike, Westside Girlz and Riggers ’95 White.
Playing a fall season against the boys, Bobby Rapozo and Lenny Rapozo will match the abilities of the pink shirted Ha’aheo against Hawai’i Rush Nike White, Real HFC ’95 Tango and Ka’oi SC Rampage in the GU11 division.
Po’okela, playing in the GU13 division under coach Kevin Gusman will play Ross Kagawa and Shari Shimabukuro’s Lihu’e Remix as well as Hawai’i rush Nike ’93, and Real HFC ’93A.
In addition the Po’okela, the Lihu’e Remix will also be challenged by Leahi SC ’93, and Hawai’i Rush Nike ’95.
Eastside Hoku, coached by Robert LaMadrid, will face Leahi SC ’94, Maile Blue, Leahi SC ’94, and Ka’oi SC Warriors in the GU-11 division.
Wayne Taniguchi’s Tunda Girls, a GU14 team, will face Kulia Lanakila, coached by Glenn Morita and
Colin Wilson, on their opening day. The Kulia Lanakila girls watched Tunda Girls capture the championships in a shootout from their vantage point of the shave ice stand at Wailua Houselots Park.
The Tunda Girls will also match up against Real HFC ’92, and Hawai’i Rush Nike ’93.
Kulia Lanakila, in addition to their Tunda Girls battle, will be pitted against Island Girls Soccer, Honolulu Storm SC, and Hawai’i Rush ’92 Nike, the final game not counting for them in standings.
According to KSA leaders Kevin Devitt and Gwen Tamura, “Kaua’i’s teams have had strong showings in this tournament, and it allows our island players the opportunity to play against strong club teams from throughout the state.”
“The experience itself for each player is well worth all those hours of fundraising,” the leaders added.
Devitt noted that the KSA Fall Season that ended recently with the exciting championship contests, prepares players to participate in the Mililani Tournament by following a similar format throughout the season.
“It prepares our players in understanding the game, polishing their skills and tactics, teamwork, and enjoying the sport. We all wish our teams well,” Devitt said.
