Surfriders hold on to earn tie against top ranked Falcons

Kailua's Allan Kamahao Donis-Sablan and Kalani's Jenson Fuse fight for a ball mid air in the 18-yard box. Leighland Tagawa | SL

In a restart about a week in the making, the Kailua Surfriders managed to earn a 1-1 draw against #1 ranked Kalani Monday afternoon.

The game originally started last week Wednesday (Jan. 4th), but was postponed due to lighting issues at Alex Kane Stadium. That game was stopped with about a minute left in the first half with Kalani holding a 1-0 lead courtesy of a Chase Kaetsu goal.

When the game resumed today, the teams kicked the ball back and forth a couple times, heard the halftime whistle seconds later, switched sides quickly, and restarted play for the 2nd half.

Kalani mounted heavy pressure early on the Kailua defense and seemed destined to score the next goal of the game. However, the Surfriders stood firm and would find the equalizer in the 51st minute.

After winning a free kick at around half field, Drew Sumile hit a high ball toward goal. Bodies collided and a few players from each team hit the ground. Kailua was awarded another free kick right outside of the penalty box and Allan Kamahao Donis-Sablan stepped up and hit a screamer into the top right corner of the goal to tie the game up 1-1. Donis-Sablan now has 5 goals on the season.

The goal only increased the intensity of the Falcon's offensive pressure and they created a few more opportunities of their own.

In the 57th minute, Kalani's Maddex Goo collected the ball in the Kailua 18-yard box and had a direct shot on goal, but keeper Matthew Mashiba made agreat save. Mashiba came up big throughout the half for Kailua with a couple routine but key saves to keep the game tied.

With a bounty of possession but no real dangerous attempts on goal, the Falcons started to get fustrated.

Tempers boiled over around the 75th minute when a call went against Kalani. Forward Ethan Senter was shown a yellow card for dissent. Then seconds later, Senter received a second yellow while walking off for continuing to argue his point to the center referee.

Although this is the first time Kalani dropped points this season, it can still win the OIA East Division with a win or tie against Farrington Wednesday.

Kailua is locked into 3rd place in the standings and will host McKinley to end the regular season.