LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i’s Corey Nemeth was a part of the Abunai 95 soccer team that won the U.S. Club Soccer National Cup championship for the Boys U-15 Premier Division, Aug. 2 in Virginia. The title came with a 2-0 victory
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i’s Corey Nemeth was a part of the Abunai 95 soccer team that won the U.S. Club Soccer National Cup championship for the Boys U-15 Premier Division, Aug. 2 in Virginia.
The title came with a 2-0 victory over Tap FC Barcelona, a win that completed the Mililani-based club team’s unbeaten run through the regional and national levels.
The word “Abunai” means “dangerous” or “look out” in Japanese, which was fitting for this unit, as it used victories of 3-1, 6-0 and 4-1 at nationals before the championship win.
Corey, a freshman at Kaua‘i High School, has been playing with the Abunai squad since the fall of 2008. He became familiar with the team while with Hawai‘i’s Olympic Developmental Program team, playing alongside some of the Abunai players.
Coach Darrin Goo gave him the opportunity to join the squad and Corey has been a member ever since, often heading to O‘ahu for games and practices.
Since dribbling a ball on the sidelines at age three, Corey then began his soccer career in AYSO. As he developed and eyed more competitive leagues, he joined the Lihu‘e Cougars with coach Jeff Mendez.
Mendez then informed Corey of the Mililani seven-on-seven tournaments that feature some of the state’s top players, a few of which have also become Abunai contributors.
At age 10, he was invited to Sweden and Norway with the National Soccer Academy, where he met Kevin Devitt, the organizer of the Garden Island Futbol Club. Devitt pointed Corey to a number of different opportunities throughout the state, as well as introducing him to futsal.
It was at the Kiahuna Tennis Club where Corey began to play futsal with coach Jorge Bord, really taking to the new style of play.
“There are many coaches on Kaua‘i who have taken Corey under their wing and we thank them for their dedication to the game of soccer,” said Lora Nemeth, Corey’s mother. “It is because of their love of the game that Kaua‘i is able to produce talented players.”
As for his more local aspirations, the freshman has his sights set on a Red Raider uniform.
“I have patiently been awaiting my opportunity to try out for the Kaua‘i High School soccer team,” he said.
He will have to remain patient for just a few more months, as the 2010 KIF soccer season gets underway in the fall.
