OIA Girls Soccer
Kaiser nets second half goal to salvage tie with Castle


ScoringLive staff
December 29, 2024, 7:54am

  

Sat, Dec 28, 2024 @ Kaiser

Castle

1

Kaiser

1

Final 1st 2nd OT 2OT PK Tot
Castle (6-3-1) 1 0 - - - 1
Kaiser (9-3-1) 0 1 - - - 1
Uilani Shimabukuro    Emma-Rose Parker


HAWAII KAI - Kaiser and Castle played out to a 1-1 tie on a windy Saturday night at Kaiser Stadium.

The weather (25 mile per hour winds), played a big factor in how both teams approached this game.

The Knights would start with the wind to their backs and would capitalize early on. In the 2nd minute, Castle forward Taja Kaaihue-Tollefson was found on the left hash of the 35 yard line. Ui'ilani Shimabukuro struck a ball into the top right corner to give the Knights an early 1-0. Shimabukuro is now joint-top scorer in the state with 12 goals.

After the goal, Kaiser started to wake up and create their own chances. Despite going against the wind, the Cougars worked the ball into the Castle half and won two dangerous freekicks from just outside the 18 yard box. However, both freekick opportunities were misfired.

Castle would create the next best chance of the first half and almost score again. In the 31st minute, Castle won another long range freekick. Shimabukuro ripped the freekick on target and this time it was destined for the top left corner. However, Cougar keeper Natalie Barnhart rose up and denied Shimabukuro her brace. Barnhart would finish the game with two saves.

After halftime, the teams flipped sides of the wind and the Cougars were able to flip their fortunes on goal. 

Kaiser used the strong winds to pin Castle deep in their own half and kept them there.

The game tying goal would come for the Cougars in the 47th minute. Utilizing the wind and heavy pressure, Kaiser was able to force the first corner kick of the game. From the right corner, Rory Matsumoto-Hussey hit a dangerous ball into the box. The ball bounced around and Castle keeper Liliana Serrano made an initial diving save, but the ball was still loose in the box. Chaos ensued as players from both sides were diving in while Serrano was fighting for the ball on the ground. The frenzy ended when Emma-Rose Parker powered the ball through and into the back of the net. 

With the winds and strong possession, the Cougars peppered the Castle goal with long shots and freekicks. Jadyn Ayano, Brooke Perreira, and Skyy Smith were some of the Cougars who were ripping shots from deep. But most of their shots either went high, wide, or were saved comfortably from Serrano. Castle had a few chances to counter, but most of those chances fizzled out and did not really test Barnhart.

The game looked destined for a tie, but Kaiser tried one last time to catch the Knights off guard. With minutes left, Kaiser played a bouncing ball over the top of the Castle backline and caused a mad scramble. With a few Kaiser Cougars hot on her tail, Castle defender Gabrielle Piho sprinited back and cleared the dangerous ball out for a corner. The corner did not amount to much and the final whistle blew. 

Both teams are now tied for 2nd in the OIA East Standings with Kaiser having a game in hand. The Cougars will face another tough test when they host Moanalua on Thursday January 2nd. The next game for the Knights will be a home game against Mckinley on Saturday January 4th. 




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