Warriors KIF Champs

Colby Ayonon’s goal lifts Kapa’a to win

HANAPEPE — The throw-in landed in front of the Kaua’i net, amongst a throng of soccer players. The red jerseys tried feverishly to clear the ball. The green jerseys kicked furiously, trying to clear the plane.

When the dust settled, the ball lay at the back of the net and a championship was decided.

Kapa’a forward Colby Ayonon’s first-half goal amounted to all of Saturday’s scoring as the Warriors won the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation soccer championship 1-0 over the Red Raiders. The victory secured Kapa’a a state-playoff berth.

“It was jumbled in front of the net, but Colby managed to get something on it,” Kapa’a coach Wade Bosworth said. “And now we’re going to state. I’m just really happy for these kids.”

The real story, however, was the goalkeeping of goalies Graham Kovarik of Kapa’a and Matt Fujikawa of Kaua’i.

Of the two, Kovarik faced more threatening situations. He snuffed out two Red Raiders’ one-on-one scoring chances in the second half, the most impressive of which was a quick reaction to Kaua’i striker Cole Brandeburg.

Late in the half, Brandeburg broke free on the right side, heading for the Kapa’a net. Kovarik charged, forcing Brandeburg to make a decision. The Red Raider tried to cut across his body, but bounced the ball off Kovarik’s foot. The Warrior goalie pounced on the ball to complete the save.

“I thought he was going to go near post,” Kovarik said. “But then he tried to go around me and I was just able to make a play.”

That’s something he did all evening, leaving the goalie box with alarming regularity to challenge the Kaua’i offense.

“If you just sit back in the box, they’re going to score,” Kovarik said.

Occasionally, however, his aggressive exploits raised the eyebrows of fans and coaches alike.

“He’s reckless, definitely reckless,” Bosworth said. “But that’s why he’s so good. He was unbelievable tonight. He played with no fear. All the great ones do.”

Fujikawa made multiple saves as well, keeping his team within striking distance all night.

“He was great,” Kaua’i coach Mark Brandeburg said. “I thought all my kids played great. We just couldn’t get one in the net.”

Not only were the Red Raiders “great,” but they also appeared to play the better soccer in half number two.

“Honestly, I thought they controlled 10 minutes of the first half and then the 40 minutes of the second half,” Bosworth said. “But our defense came through.”

Kaua’i attacked often after the intermission as it controlled the midfield and executed its gameplan.

But the Warriors’ defense delivered when it counted most.

“Our defense was just outstanding,” Bosworth said. “That’s what wins championships.”

Defender Ty Yamaguchi, in fact, served as a second goalkeeper on two occasions. Twice did he keep the ball out of the net when Kovarik was taken out of the play. It happened most notably late in the game, as Kaua’i, in scoring position again, flipped the ball into the air as Kovarik struggled to get on his feet. Just before the ball floated into the goal, however, Yamaguchi managed to get his head on it, ending the threat.

But Kapa’a’s other defenders shined brightly as well. They were Levi McFarland, Jud McRoberts and Joe Corbett — all juniors.

“It was exactly what I thought this game would be,” Brandeburg said. “It was intense all the way through.”

Understandably, many of the Red Raiders carried their heads low as they walked from the locker room. But there was nothing to be ashamed of; parents and supporters reminded them of how hard they’d battled.

“I am proud of them,” Brandeburg said. “And I’d like to say that my seniors are really great guys and I’ll miss them next year.”

Meanwhile, the Warriors will prepare for the state tournament which starts February 14 on Oahu.

“We came really close to winning the title last year,” Bosworth said. “It would have been heartbreaking to get so close again and lose it.”