Roosevelt holds off Kalani to earn draw, secure league playoff berth

Brien Ing | SL

Survive and advance.

In both teams' regular season finales, Roosevelt drew 0-0 with Kalani to earn the final spot out of the OIA East into the upcoming OIA Division I playoffs.

"Just proud of my team honestly, I expected a really tough game." said Zoe Maikai. "My pregame (speech) was either we clean up our lockers next week or in two, its up to you guys."

With Kalaheo having already clinched a spot with a win by forfeit over McKinley at 4-4-2, Roosevelt knew going into today's game that a postseason berth was within reach with a tie or a win over the Falcons.

"I was kind of stressed out all day checking (ScoringLive), trying to make sure we knew what we needed to do to get through," said Maikai. "The main goal for us was to not lose, I was okay with the draw."

While it was clear in the opening minutes that the Rough Riders were gunning for the win, a scoreless first half ultimately did invoke a bit of an alignment change for the Riders in the back half of the game.

"We realized in the second half we probably weren't going to get the goal so let's hunker down," said Maikai. "We changed our whole formation to try and make sure we didn't get scored on."

Despite the defensive shift, Kalani still had more than a few really good chances at putting points on the board, and none better than in the 50th minute of play, when Kaiulani Nishigaya took a free kick at about the 30 yard mark and placed it high and with pace on goal.

Roosevelt's keeper, Emma Harada, made a desparation leap and somehow managed to redirect the shot just enough for it to hit the top bar, where it caromed off and was eventually cleared.

"That was huge for our goalie," said Maikai. "Previously in our season, we had a few goals go through, so her getting a touch on that ball and not letting it go through, that was really huge."

As the second period wore on, Kalani was increasingly unable to get anything going in the attacking half, a combination of the Rough Riders' philosophy shift, what looked to be a bit of late game fatigue on the part of the Falcons, and perhaps a bit of special preparation on the part of Roosevelt.

"Every practice since the new year we prepared for this," said Maikai. "We set up a bunch of cones just to prep for potholes and I know their forwards. Actually, I play club with them so I told our girls before the game you got to mark that girl and that girl. Overall, I'm proud of my team for executing"

Play continues for Roosevelt (3-4-3) in the upcoming playoffs starting on Jan. 16, while Kalani's season finishes at 3-5-2.