ISLE FILE
Kai helps U.S. soccer defeat Ireland
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Natasha Kai and Heather O'Reilly scored goals as the U.S. women's national soccer team opened the Achieve Your Gold Tour with a 2-0 victory over Ireland last night in Philadelphia.
The 10-game tour celebrates the U.S. team's gold-medal performance at the Beijing Olympics.
The U.S. broke the scoreless deadlock in the 32nd minute when O'Reilly streaked down the right sideline and curved a perfect cross into the middle. Kai, a former Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i standout, soared between several defenders and powered home a header from 6 yards out. It was Kai's team-leading 14th goal of the year and the 22nd of her career.
O'Reilly, who was honored before the match for earning her 100th cap in the gold-medal game, sealed the victory in the 86th minute when she sliced through the center of the park on a penetrating dribble. The midfielder unleashed a left-footed rocket from just outside the penalty area that flew over Irish goalkeeper Emma Byrne, clanked off the underside of the crossbar at the upper left corner and bounced down over the goal line.
The teams play again Wednesday in East Rutherford, N.J.
MORE SOCCER
HILO CLAIMS CUP TITLE
Dustin Daley scored 1 minutes, 38 seconds into overtime as the Hawai'i-Hilo men's soccer team defeated Hawai'i Pacific, 2-1, last night to capture the Challenge Cup at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
Daley ran on to a loose ball and slotted it into the goal from 8 yards out.
Drew Geis also scored for Hilo (5-1) while Linus Ekden scored for HPU (2-3).
Earlier, Chaminade beat Brigham Young-Hawai'i, 2-1, in the third-place match. Both teams are 1-4.
VOLLEYBALL
HAWAI'I-HILO SPLITS
Josimara Pinheiro had 12 kills and Fabiane Seben added 11 as Hawai'i-Hilo defeated Montana State-Billings, 25-13, 25-20, 25-17, last night in Billings, Mont.
Morgan Bonney added two solo blocks and four assists for the Vulcans (10-3), who finished 3-1 in the Montana State-Billings Invitational.
Earlier in the day, Kelsey Aden had 14 kills as Northern State (Aberdeen, S.D.) rallied past Hilo, 16-25, 17-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-11.
Pinheiro had 16 kills and 13 digs, Kawena Cubi-Otineru added 12 kills and Laura Rodriguez 19 digs for the Vulcans.
CROSS COUNTRY
HPU, BYUH WIN
Hawai'i Pacific took the top four places and cruised to victory yesterday in the men's division of the Hawai'i-Hilo Invitational.
Andreas Schwab won the 6-kilometer race in 19 minutes, 30 seconds as the Sea Warriors scored a low-best 18 points. Brigham Young-Hawai'i was a distant second with 49 points.
Amanda Whitford won the women's 6K race in 22:51 as BYUH (34 points) edged HPU (36).
PARALYMPICS
ARNOULT'S TEAM FALLS
Jiske Griffioen and Esther Vergeer of the Netherlands defeated Hawai'i's Beth Arnoult and Kaitlyn Verfuerth, 6-2, 6-1, yesterday in the women's doubles semifinals of the Paralympics in Beijing.
Arnoult, from Pa'ia, Maui, and Verfuerth will play for the bronze medal today against a French team.
