Kaua‘i teams dominate on Maui

Two teams representing Kaua‘i managed to come away with great experiences at the Hawai‘i Cup soccer tournament at Kahului, Maui in mid-July.

The Mud Warriors, a 10-and-under boys team from Kilauea, and Team Motiv-8, a 14-and-under squad from Wailua Homesteads that was recently crowned Kaua‘i HYSA champs, both made the trip to the Valley Isle.

In the 14-and-under boys division, Team Motiv-8, played several tough teams from Maui and O‘ahu. It was the solid defense of Motiv-8 that helped lead them to the championship.

Motiv-8 allowed only one goal throughout the tournament. The team was led by goalkeeper Palani Mawae, who stopped every shot and a defensive back field consisting of Kamalei Pihana, Alex LaMadrid, Kelsey Gaetjens, BJ Melchor, Tiloi Alapa and Hunter Bilbo.

With Kelsy Gaetjens and Kamalei Pihana alternating playing time in the sweeper position, they were able to run down and defend well against fast attacks from opposing teams.

Also seeing time in the goal was LaMadrid, Melchor and Hunter Hudson, allowing Mawae playing time on the field.

At times, Motiv-8 controlled the middle of the field, following their motto, “First to the ball.” The team also took advantage of superior passing skills to control the middle.

Midfielders Daven Bodano, Michael Chamberlain, Hunter Hudson, Taylor Langstaff, Pierce Murphy, Logan Domingo, Evan Kaahea, Alex Brown and Brad Heiser all contributed to helping Motiv-8 move the ball forward and stop the other teams from advancing. Lowen Gonzales was the primary striker, at times getting relief from other players on the team.

In pool play, Motiv-8 played four matches in two days, winning 4-1, 1-0, 3-0 and 5-0.

The boys were excited to be in first place in their pool, looking forward to playing against Real, from O‘ahu, in the morning playoff match. Real came out strong with a fast game, precision passing and a strong defense.

Motiv-8 didn’t look like the team which had won its pool, relying mainly on defense to stop Real. In the second half with the score still 0-0, Michael Chamberlain crossed the ball to Pierce Murphy at the far post. Murphy got a foot on the ball to score the eventual winning goal as Team Motiv-8’s defense held on for the 1-0 win.

In the championship match later that same day, Motiv-8 played the Maui Strikers.

The Strikers were another well-coached and athletic team. Motiv-8 came out ready to play, taking several shots at the Strikers’ keeper early but not finding the target. Finally, late in the first half, Michael Chamberlain, dribbling on the left side of the field, turned and fired a shot that found its mark for the early lead. A short time later, a Striker player made a strong run toward the Motiv-8 goal.

Mawae came out of goal to stop the attack, and the collision left Mawae on the ground for several minutes. He was able to hold onto the ball, however, and shake off the hit to continue in goal. The back and forth battle continued with both teams playing fast and physical. When the final whistle blew, Chamberlain’s lone goal was the difference. Team Motiv-8 won the Hawai‘i Cup, 1-0.

The Kaua‘i Mud Warriors made their first trip to an off-island tournament. They played three matches in their pool play, winning two of them. This record enabled them to advance to the playoff round on Saturday. The Mud Warriors also met a Maui Strikers team in the playoff match.

Although they fought hard, they fell short of advancing to the championship match, losing 4-1. The Mud Warriors were led by goalkeeper Liko McBride, Jean Luc Tremblay, Victor Sanchez, Sonny Check, Gavin Bryan, Keaton Schneider, Keale Lee, Raiatea Oliver, Logan Fredrickson and coach Suzie Lee. Team Motiv-8 would like to thank coaches Curtis Langstaff, Todd Fuerte and Peter Sarsona, Hanalei Dental, Blair Estate Coffee, Duke‘s Canoe Club and everybody that allowed them to wash their car at Kuku‘i Grove.