Int. 1 Soccer Defeats Sacred Hearts 5-0
December 9, 2008
by Al Linsky
Alyssa Kim got the Raiders on the board early to make it 1-0 sometime in the first 15 minutes of the game. I wish I could tell you more about the goal but I was on the road coming back from Kapiolani where I mistakenly thought the game was going to be.
Eesha Chun-DelaCruz then converted on a 30 yard free kick. The Lancer goalie was able to get her hands on it as she jumped high but she wasn't able to keep it out of the goal. 2-0, Raiders.
About 10 minutes into the second half, Daisy Pascua fed Sara Endo who blasted a shot into the upper left corner. 3-0, Raiders.
At about 25 minutes, Taylor Kipilii came right in on center and put her shot in the upper right corner. 4-0, Raiders.
Then with time running out, Daisy made a nice rush up the right side all the way to 15 yards and put a high, hard shot into the upper right corner. 5-0, Raiders.
This game was never in doubt. Nice, strong performance for the Raiders.
To see more photos, please visit iolani-events.org.
Intermediate 2 Soccer Over St. Francis, 3-0
December 8, 2008
by Al Linsky
The St. Francis team featured probably the best player in Div II, if not both intermediate divisions.
The funny thing is, I knew her. But when I knew her (about four years ago) she was at least a foot shorter! She came up to me, "Hey uncle, remember me?" It took me a while to figure it out because I knew her back in HYSA days, when she was so little (but always extremely fast and talented) and now I have to look up to her!
She's now tall, fast and a dominant player. But, this game showed why soccer is such a team game and how one player, no matter how good she is, really can't compete with a TEAM.
Kalei (the St. Francis star) started out on offense, but this opened up our offense. Raider goalie Deanne Yugawa, though, had no problem handling the booming, but long shots. After the initial offensive rush by St. Francis, the Raiders started to take over. At about two minutes, Nalani Taniguchi got off a hard shot from the right, about 25 yards out, into the left, lower corner. 1-0, Raiders.
Kalei moved to defense to slow down our offense. This move all but assured that play would remain in front of the St. Francis goal as St. Francis started having trouble controlling the ball.
At about 25 minutes, Megan Nakai hit paydirt from about 20 yards. 2-0, Raiders.
The Raiders continued to sub fresh legs, kept running and passing and generally used their overall speed advantage effectively.
About 20 minutes into the second half, Nani made a rush down the right side and at the last moment passed to a waiting Amanda Shigeoka for a pretty tap in goal. 3-0, Raiders.
This was a dominant, good win for the Intermediate 2 team who is quietly having a great season with a 5-1 record.
To see more photos, please visit iolani-events.org.
