HPU White claims MISO crown, 2-1

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The top two goal scorers in the Men's Island Soccer Organization (MISO) struck again in the championship game.

Midfielder Jimmi Hemmenbach scored a golden goal one minute into overtime to give Hawai'i Pacific White the 2-1 win over Lanikai Tuesday in the MISO Division I Championship yesterday at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

"It's always nice," Hemmenbach said of the goal. "It was an even game and either one of us could have won. But we won the regular season championship and I think we deserved this as well."

Hemmenbach dribbled past four defenders and hit a right-footed shot under the outstretched arms of Lanikai Tuesday goalkeeper Josh Fouts for the game-winner.

HPU White forward Adolfo Gentil scored the game-tying goal in the 19th minute when he intercepted a pass, beat Lanikai Tuesday's defenders and slotted the ball under Fouts.

"It was a soft shot, I almost missed it because the defender almost got it," Gentil said.

Gentil was the league's MVP and leading goal scorer with 26 and Hemmenbach was second with 21.

Lanikai Tuesday went up 1-0 in the fifth minute when Mark Mench converted on a broken play by HPU White defenders.

"It put us under pressure a little bit more," Gentil said of being down a goal. "I think if we didn't score (our first goal), we would have been under even more pressure in the end."

With a 1-1 tie going into the half, both teams had several chances to take the lead.

Lanikai Tuesday's Behrouz Aghdasi missed an open goal when an indirect kick drew goalkeeper Cassiano Soares off his line and he kicked the ball over the crossbar.

HPU White hit the crossbar twice, and was denied a goal when Fouts, who was leaping to his left, changed directions in midair and blocked a shot by Renato Dos Reis off a cross from Gentil.

"We had our opportunities and they had theirs," Gentil said. "It was frustrating missing so many opportunities."

HPU White is made up of players who attend Hawai'i Pacific University, which sponsors the team. They were awarded the Jack Sullivan Trophy for best regular season record (13-1-1).

• Division II: Kory Muraoka scored two goals, including a golden goal in the first overtime period to lift Kahekili over Aloha Amazon, 2-1, in the Division II championship game, which was held earlier yesterday.

Muraoka scored his first goal in the 68th minute.

Antonio Valiengo scored for Aloha Amazon in the 31st minute.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.