WAIPAHU, Oahu --- The Maui United under-11 team and Excel under-9 squad claimed boys championships at last weekend's Presidents Day Cup at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.
The United did not allow a goal in going 5-0-1, finishing with a 1-0 win over the Oahu Blitz, the defending champions, in which Angelo Deloso-Flocco provided the goal.
Excel won all six of its games, capped by a pair of rallies from a goal down in the final on the way to beating Abunai 4-3.
The United opened with a 0-0 draw with the Honolulu Bulls, then beat the Honolulu Warriors 4-0, getting two goals from Jose Ortega, and one each from Arrio Rusnak and Beirne Teshima. Deloso-Flocco and Noa Harrisson each scored in a 2-0 victory over the Blitz. Ortega, Teshima and Harrisson each had two goals in a 7-0 win over the Kailua Riggers, and Rusnak had a goal and two assists. Deloso-Flocco and Harrisson provided goals in a 2-0 victory over the Kula Thunder in the semifinals.
In the under-9 final, Nicholas LaManna scored twice in the second half after the teams ended the first half tied 2-2. Excel's Kaleo Dutro-Raymond tied the game at 1 in the first half, and Chayce Akaka Foster got Excel even again after the Maui team fell behind 2-1.
Excel outscored its opponents 20-1 in pool play. In the first game, Maluhia Plunkett scored three goals, and LaManna, D'Sean Watson, Isaiah Souza and Samuel Ostermiller each added one in a 7-0 win over Riggers Makoa. Foster and Plunkett each had two goals in a 4-1 victory over Blitz Orange. Foster, Plunkett and Teva Pimentel provided a goal apiece in a 3-0 win over Rush Zoom. Foster and Christopher Barry each had two goals in a 6-0 victory over Rush Vapor, and Plunkett and Parker Hao Awai each scored once. In the semifinals, Excel defeated Bulls Kaula 5-1, getting two goals from Plunkett and one apiece from Foster, LaManna and Barry.
Gabriel Andrion, Kupono Coyle, Kaleo Dutro-Raymond and Steven Jacob Hogin also played for Excel. Ioasa Tua is on the team but was not able to travel for the tournament. The coaches were Kauila Pimentel, Rendell Andrion, Kane Coyle, Ben Sarmiento and Kim Skog.
Justin Arcano, Paytin Ayau, Kyle Felix, Taylor Fernandez, Korey Kuge, Kaisyn Lee, Dante Perez, Keoni Rosete, Caleb Soohoo and Kylen Zolotow also played for the United, who were coached by Brent Nunes, Chuck Nunes, Tom Soohoo and Blake Nunes.
The Maui United girls under-10 team reached the semifinal round.
The other Maui-based girls teams competing in the three-day event were the Makawao Bulldogs and Pono in under-10, the Wailuku Bruisers in under-11 and Pookela and Manuia in under-12.
Other boys teams were Maui Blazers Black and Maui United in under-10, Maui United White in under-11 and Kula Thunder and Maui United in under-12.
