The Guava Bowl trophy’s two-year stay on the Big Island ended Saturday night, as Kaiser edged Konawaena in penalty kicks to win the hotly contested preseason rivalry game at Julian R. Yates Field.
“It just intensifies the rivalry,” Konawaena head coach Guy Miranda said about the game that ended in 2-2 in regulation. “Both teams came out to play and fight for that trophy. You can’t ask for anything more from a game. When it goes to a shootout, it’s 50-50 for both teams. I think the girls all had a ball playing in the game.”
The Guava Bowl is the creation of Miranda and Kaiser head coach Adolph Samuels, childhood friends who went to Farrington High School on Oahu together.
It is the sixth time the game has been played, and fifth time attached to the Konawaena preseason tournament. However, the game does not count towards the tournament standings.
Both teams are undefeated in tourney play, and will face off again in the championship Sunday at 2 p.m.
“That’s a pretty nice trophy too,” Miranda said. “Tomorrow is the rubber match.”
The two-time defending Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Konawaena controlled the first 15 minutes of the game, executing in the midfield and getting shots on net. Senior striker Kaulana Ruedy put the wahine Wildcats up in the 14th minute, burying a chance set up by freshman Nalani Wall.
Kaiser responded to the early deficit with added offensive pressure — led by speedy sophomore forward Tommi Hintnaus — battering Konawaena goalkeeper Kililani Kunitomo with shots.
Kunitomo was filling in for first-team All-BIIF selection Taiana Tolleson, who is on the mainland playing in a college showcase tournament. Kunitomo rose to the occasion, recording eight first half saves and 14 overall.
“That’s what I expect from her,” Miranda said. “She is a seasoned veteran.”
Konawaena built on its lead before the half when Mikala Fernandez found herself alone in front of the Kaiser net and easily put the ball past the Cougar keeper to give the Wildcats a two-goal cushion.
But with the Guava Bowl trophy on the line, the Cougars were not going away without a fight.
Kaiser controlled the pace in the second half with a hefty advantage in possession, and it paid dividends early.
Five minutes into the half Kai Hasegawa broke through the Kunitomo wall, putting the Cougars on the board and cutting the Wildcats’ lead in half.
Kaiser struck again in the 50th minute with a boot from senior forward Taylor Tani after a fortunate bounce, evening the score at 2-all.
Konawaena had a well-orchestrated chance late to take the lead back with seven minutes remaining, but the ball went high and hit off the football uprights behind the net.
With the score tied after regulation, the Guava Bowl would be decided on penalty kicks for a second consecutive year.
Konawaena went high on all three of its kicks, and Kaiser’s Lina Takada, Taylin Park and Noelle Mercado nailed their shots to clinch the victory for the Lady Cougars.