Jane Garma said they never expected that many kids to turn out. But the players came and Garma, one of the team mothers for the Westside Falcon soccer program, said, “Rather than keep all of the 12-year-olds in one team,
Jane Garma said they never expected that many kids to turn out.
But the players came and Garma, one of the team mothers for the Westside Falcon soccer program, said, “Rather than keep all of the 12-year-olds in one team, we recruited some girls and split the team into two so all the players would be able to play.”
The parity of that separation came into play Sunday, when the Kaua‘i Soccer Association schedule saw both teams go head-to-head in the KSA fall season at the North Vidinha soccer fields.
From the onset, the lines were drawn as the Westside Falcon Blue took control of the ball while the Westside Falcon Gray went on the defensive.
Bailey Kaneakalau, playing forward and wing for the WF Blue, struck first, her foot driving the ball past the efforts of the WF Gray goalkeeper for the score.
WF Blue put more pressure on the ball, and Jared Okayama, playing the forward midfield, was able to outpace two WF Gray defenders for the Blue’s second goal.
Despite the strong defensive effort shown by WF Gray, a case of follow-through bore fruit for the WF Gray as Scrappy Garma came up with the goal on the third effort for the 2-1 halftime WF Blue lead.
WF Gray continued its effort and a second half goal by La‘a Kaulula‘au saw the final whistle sound on a 2-2 tie.
Garma was pleased, noting that it was a chance for the kids to get more playing time and more touches during the game.
Once the season ends, Garma said the Under 12 team will reform as a single team and the girls will go to their respective teams.
That was just one of 11 games played Sunday as the KSC-Blazing Angels rounded out the Under 12 division with a 2-1 edge over the Hawaiian Heat GU12s.
The Westside Falcon BU10 team opened up that age group with a double-header win over the Southside Lunachix GU10, taking the first contest 4-0 before nailing a 13-0 nightcap.
Team Motiv-8 BU10 was an 8-0 winner over the Lightning Chix GU10, and Pohaku BU10 edged out the Kaua‘i Sparks GU10, 2-1.
Alyssa Vegas finished with four goals as the Ha‘aheo Kaua‘i pink soared over the Pohaku GU14, 9-1.
Caitlyn Rapozo added two goals with Nicole Gardner, Joni Hashizume and Kawehi Louis-Diamond each adding a goal in the win.
Michelle LaMadrid notched Pohaku’s sole goal.
In other Under 14 games, the GIFC-BU14 took a 5-2 edge over Team Onipa‘a BU14, and the Westside Falcons BU14 wrapped up a near-perfect day for the program with a 7-2 win over Hawaiian Heat GU14.
Lokahi GU18 suffered a dual loss despite strong play from the girls, dropping its match 6-2 to the Westside United BU15 squad and suffering an 11-2 defeat at the hands of Team Motiv-8 BU16.
Games continue on Sunday.
