Kaiser, Mililani in OIA soccer final
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
MILILANI — Kaiser High School senior Landon Beers has scored 19 goals this season, but none was more important than his point-blank shot in the 76th minute last night to give the Cougars a 2-1 victory over Moanalua.
The win vaulted Kaiser (12-0-0) into Saturday's O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship game against Mililani, which defeated Castle, 5-1, in the other semifinal.
Beers scored after Moanalua goalkeeper Jimmy Strombach mishandled a slippery ball launched by Michael Rivas-Micoud on a free kick.
Strombach, a first-team All-State outfielder on the Menehune baseball team who also set OIA records for receiving yards and touchdown receptions this past football season, is in his first year of soccer.
"He made one mistake tonight, but that's OK, because he's saved us many times before," Moanalua coach Spencer Machado said. "Especially in the Campbell (quarterfinal) — he must have made 50 saves in that game. He's been super. He had some hard luck tonight and is feeling bad, but we're in the state tournament because of him."
Even after Beers' goal, the Menehune (9-4) had a few chances to tie it. They had two free kicks in the final four minutes and twice literally came within inches of scoring.
The game's other two goals came in the first half. Kaiser's Jeremy Patton scored in the 25th minute after Brandon Self's shot bounced off the crossbar, and Geoffrey Say tied it seven minutes later unassisted.
Say, a standout shortstop in baseball, is another first-year soccer player for Moanalua.
Last night's tight game was far different from the teams' regular season meeting in December, which Kaiser won 6-0. One major difference was Mililani High School's soggy and rain-swept field.
"We're a control team, and with these field conditions, we couldn't control the ball," Kaiser coach Herb Schreiner said. "Moanalua is more of a one-touch team, and they kept our backs to the wall. The field was a big equalizer."
Still, Schreiner gave credit to the Menehune, who had won seven straight games.
"They played their hearts out," Schreiner said. "They did a good job."
• • •
• Mililani 5, Castle 1: The Trojans (11-0-1) broke open a close game with three goals in the second half to advance to the championship.
Castle (8-2-2) scored first in the 10th minute on Justin Santos' goal after a free kick.
Mililani answered five minutes later on Cameron Luiz's goal off Nathan Amous' assist. The Trojans took a 2-1 lead in the 25th minute on Gainor Nitta's goal after Vance Harris' shot was deflected.
Jay Abrigo made it 3-1 in the 60th minute off Whitney Shimatsu's assist. Amous got his second assist in the 70th minute, feeding Kevin Higaki. Justin Okawa ended the scoring in the 78th minute off Gerard Buhl's assist.
OIA Girls Tournament
Consolation Semifinals
Kailua 2, Kahuku 0. Anela Gonzales, Anela Ramelb.
Roosevelt 4, Castle 2. Roos—Kellie Higa 2, Tobi Kanehira 2. Cast—Brye Watanabe, Dionne Kaneshiro.
• • •
• ILH postponed: The Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship playoff between Kamehameha and Iolani scheduled at Kap'iolani Park yesterday was postponed because of inclement weather.
It will be played tomorrow at St. Louis, "rain or shine," according to an ILH official.
