JV Boys Soccer Wins Opener Over Pac-5, 3-1
by Al Linsky
It was cloudy with intermittent showers. Soccer players seem to like this kind of weather even if the fans don't.
The Raiders mostly controlled play but no goals were scored until about the 15 minute mark, when the Pac-5 striker got behind the defense and slid a low shot in from the left side to the lower right corner. 1-0, Pac-5.
Falling behind ignited a bit of a spark as Taylor Van Etten, only minutes later, set up Hiroki Tokuyama who got off a nice shot. The goalie got one hand on it and looked to be making a save only to see it drop in the goal behind him. 1-1.
About 10 minutes into the second half, Taylor got one of his own as he found himself about five yards out with the goalie at his mercy. 2-1, Raiders.
At about 25 minutes, Souichi Wood had a nice breakaway to make it 3-1 and a solid opening season win.
Next game is Saturday, 10:00 a.m. at Waipio, against Kamehameha Blue.
To see more photos, please visit iolani-events.org.
Int Black Soccer Overwhelms Pac-5 Orange, 8-0
by Al Linsky
I didn't need an umbrella today, for the first time in quite a few soccer games, but the Pac-5 team probably felt they could have used something to help them as the goals rained down.
Pac-5 has two intermediate teams, as do 'Iolani, Punahou and Kamehameha. At some schools, the teams are divided evenly ('Iolani), at others they are divided by ability and/or age (Punahou and Kamehameha).
There are advantages and disadvantages to each strategy. Pac-5 divides their team by ability. One disadvantage of this strategy is that the weaker team, usually consisting of mostly seventh graders, ends playing older and more skilled players. This can result in lopsided games which is what happened at 'Iolani field on Tuesday.
Right off the start, Jordan Lee, dribbled through the whole defense and got all the way to the goal. The goalie made the save, but the stage was set for a big win.
Two minutes later, Jordan set up Michael Diebold in front. 1-0, Raiders.
At three minutes, Michael returned the favor setting up Jordan, 2-0.
A few minutes went by before Jordan got of a booming shot from 25 yards out to the lower right corner. 3-0.
Jordan then made a steal at about midfield and dribbled through most of the team, ending up with a breakaway for a 4-0 lead at the half.
In the second half, with the Raider reserves getting lots of playing time, the scoring continued.
Quinn Cowen, at about four minutes, placed a nice shot into the lower right corner from about 12 yards. 5-0.
Jordan then picked a high ball out of the air with his left foot scoring to the upper left corner. 6-0.
Then, in one of the prettiest plays of the day, Michael Diebold passed to Connor Grune, who immediately passed it to Jordan, who put it into the upper left corner. 7-0.
As the game neared completion, Jordan passed a high ball to Adam Kodama who picked it out of the air from 15 yards. 8-0.
To see more photos, please visit iolani-events.org.
