Posted on: Saturday, April 13, 2002

Hawai'i wins 2 soccer titles

Advertiser Staff

Teams from Hawai'i won two women's championships last weekend at the Las Vegas Friendship Tournament.

He Kini Popo won the over-40 years title for the fourth time, outscoring six teams 28-0, and Makani Elua took the over-45 years crown for the first time.

He Kini Popo, including most of the players from Hawai'i's national champion over-30s team a decade ago, defeated the Spirit of Torrance, Calif., 6-0, in the over-40s championship game.

Makani Elua defeated the defending champion Soccer Nuts of Seattle, 3-2, in a tie-breaking shootout after the final game ended in a scoreless tie. Maris Vanderlee nailed the winning shot.

For both Hawai'i champions, the tournament was a tune-up for the National Veterans Cup in West Virginia June 20-23. Last year, the Hawai'i over-40s lost in the national semifinals.