Kalani Boys Team Closing In On Moanalua For OIA Soccer Lead
For the three East Oahu high school soccer teams, the next two weeks will be all about generating momentum for the OIA boys post-season. East Oahu Islander takes a look at their prospects at mid-season.
Kalani Falcons
Record to date: The Falcons were 3-0-1 heading into last weekend’s home date with Roosevelt.
Must-see game ahead: Jan. 21 versus Kaiser
Falcons at mid-season: The team couldn’t have asked for a better start, as it rolled to three straight shutouts over Windward foes Castle 5-0, Kailua 4-0 and Kahuku 3-0. Although they were tied by Kalaheo 2-2 in their next outing, the Falcons find themselves in a good position entering the season’s second half, sitting a half game behind league-leader Moanalua. Kalani will have its chance to gain the upper hand Jan. 13, when it hosts Na Menehune in a key game.
Kalani sophomore forward Takahiro Kosins entered the weekend with seven goals, placing him second overall in the OIA. Kaiser Cougars
Record to date: 2-1 prior to last weekend’s home date with Castle.
Must-see game ahead: Jan. 21 versus Kalani
Cougars at mid-season: Kaiser’s quest to stay in the mix of the ultra-competitive East race will be helped along greatly if it can come out on the plus side during its current three-game stretch, which began over the weekend with the Castle game. On Wednesday, Kaiser will visit a Kailua team expected to be among the favorites in the White before returning home Saturday to play surprising Kahuku. The outcome of back-to-back games against Kalani Jan. 21 and Kalaheo Jan. 24 to close out the season also will figure big in Kaiser’s playoff position. It entered last weekend looking to regain its offensive edge after having been held to a single goal in their previous two games against Kaimuki (a 1-0 win) and Moanalua (a 2-1 loss).
Kaimuki Bulldogs
Record to date: The Bulldogs were 0-4, heading into a game against Moanalua over the weekend.
Must-see game ahead: Saturday versus Kailua at home
Bulldogs at mid-season: DII Kaimuki had one of the toughest schedules out of the gate with games against DI foes Castle and Kahuku on the road and Kaiser at home. The good news is that three of Kaimuki’s last five games will be against DII teams, so the team still largely controls its own destiny, as far as qualifying for the White playoffs. With only two goals (both by Seung Yeon Shin) as a team in its first four games, a priority is to maximize its scoring opportunities in the season’s second half. jackster.1969@yahoo.com
