Roosevelt's Kisei Ikeda (11) and Aaron Leon-Licona (6) embrace after Ikeda scored off of Leon-Licona's corner kick in the 59th minute against Moanalua. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Roosevelt keeper Micaiah Garan does a goal kick in the second half against Moanalua. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Wed, Jan 11, 2023 @ Moanalua

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Roosevelt

1

Moanalua

0

Final	1st	2nd	OT	2OT	PK	Tot
Roosevelt (8-5-1)	0	1	-	-	-	1
Moanalua (5-5-1)	0	0	-	-	-	0

K. Ikeda (59’)

Hard work pays off.

Kisei Ikeda's header off of Aaron Leon-Licona's corner kick in the 59th minute lifted visiting Roosevelt to a 1-0 win over Moanalua to close out OIA East play Wednesday night.

It was Ikeda's second straight header in as many games as his sixth goal of the season helped the Rough Riders finish regular season play with a 6-3-1 record.

"We've been working on our set pieces," said acting Roosevelt coach Mark Kaneshiro. "That's something that we've been working hard at, something maybe we weren't as good at before, but working hard at something and to see it pay off… I'm very proud of the boys and what they did."

Senior keeper Micaiah Garan made a handful of aggressive saves for Roosevelt and routinely cleared threats near the edge of the box. It was the Rough Riders' fifth shutout of the year and their first win being decided by a single goal.

"He's probably one of our most valuable players," Kaneshiro said of Garan. "He's been a four-year starter as our keeper and I appreciate him so much. His commitment to lead the team from the goal, even though I know he wants to be on the field. However, he knows that being in the goal is going to help the team the most. We're very grateful that we have players like him that are unselfish and put the team before themselves."

Roosevelt keeper Micaiah Garan does a goal kick in the second half against Moanalua. Michael Lasquero | SL    Purchase image

Although they are classified as a Division II team this season, the Rough Riders have held their own against the top teams in the East and finished with the fourth best record in the conference. They also doubled their win total from a year ago.

"They did a great job," Kaneshiro said of the team. "They've been working hard I'd say for the last two years and trying to learn a new system as far as possession. We had some ups and downs this season, however, I believe they played hard and worked hard, played with grit and unselfishly. I'm very proud of them."

Another area that Kaneshiro is pleased with is the Rough Riders' ability to adjust, whether it be field conditions, players in and out of the lineup, as well as in-game adjustments. Kaneshiro also credits the assistant coaches on the staff, with many of them being former players that went on to play collegiately.

"I give credit to all the assistant coaches. They're able to communicate and teach the boys what to do, and credit to the boys. They're able to listen and execute. I tell them that's the mark of a really good team, when you're able to make adjustments and execute. A lot of teams, they stick with something and that's it, but the successful teams are the one that will make adjustments and are successful after halftime."

Roosevelt will have a first round bye in the league's Division II playoffs, which starts in two weeks.

Na Menehune dropped to 5-4-1 with the loss and will be the East's fifth seed in the 12-team Division I tournament.