Last gasp goal helps Kaiser topple 10th ranked Moanalua

Rayden Aoki | SL

Kaiser kept its undefeated season intact, scoring the game-winning goal in the 79th minute to take down tenth ranked and previously unbeaten Moanalua, 1-0.

Rory Matsumoto-Hussey found herself in the right place at the right time, as a set piece by Skyy Smith was rocketed from the right side near the right corner of the goal, where it was deflected, bounced around and somehow found its way to the foot of Hussey, who tucked the ball past the keeper for the lead in the dying moments.

"It deflected off of Jadyn (Ayano) and then I just went for it and tapped it in," said Matsumoto-Hussey. "We've been working on it (that type of play) every single day, just pushing and pressing."

Kaiser had not one, not two, but three shots on goal clang solidly off the top bar in the first half, resulting in gasps from the crowd, but ultimately no points on the board. The chances were definitely there for the Cougars in the first half, much of it created by the dedided advantage of having the winds from Kamiloiki Valley at their backs for the first 40.

That advantage became Moanalua's in the second half with the side change, but Kaiser's back line for the majority of both halves did a solid job of keeping the ball out of the attacking third.

The best opportunity for Na Menehune to score came in the 73rd minute, when a bounding shot by Taylor Thomas took a dangerous bounce in front of keeper Natalie Barnhart, who got just enough hands on the ball to deflect it out of bounds.

With the win, Kaiser improved to 6-0-1 on the season, with games against Roosevelt and Kalani remaining. The Cougars can clinch the top seed in the East by winning out, and would force at least a tie for the East number one seed by winning one of the final two games.

Moanalua is already assured a spot in the playoffs with just a game against McKinley remaining on the slate.