Soccer Players Earning Way To Nationals

Faced with $24,000 in travel costs, the Kailua AYSO Girls U19 soccer team is raising funds at every opportunity in order to get to the AYSO National Games July 3-8 in Knoxville, Tenn.

“Every effort is being made to keep our travel costs low,” said coach Ranson Tam, “but traveling to the Mainland to play in a tournament of this calibre is expensive.”

Islander readers’ support, he added, “will help ensure that no player misses this great experience because they can’t afford it.”

Car washes, chocolate sales, food booths and community service projects have filled the players’ schedule for weeks already. Donations by check, gift cards or banner display also are welcome. To contribute, send checks to Kailua U-19 Girls Soccer, c/o team finance manager Joan Tam, 41-731 Kamanaoio Place, Waimanalo, HI 96795.

Players selected for the national team are Lily Berry-Liftee, Tiana DeCosta, Kiana Forsythe, Ashley Kanoho, Kelley Kahale, Caitlin Hooker, Kaitlin Hunter, Mayumi Ishikawa, Moana Klein, Saige Manatad, Hannah Latimer, Jazmin Lugo, Taylor Tam, Monet Valero and Monique Ishikawa.