Hands Down, A Great Finish

Another Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation game went down to the final seconds before victory was determined. This time it was the boys soccer teams from Kaua’i High and Waimea High, the third game of a prep soccer triple-header at Vidinha Stadium.

The Menehune were within seconds of a 1-0 win, thanks to a dramatic free kick by Caleb Licke late in the opening half that followed a KHS hand ball call in the box. The Red Raiders’ chances dimmed when Grant Basquez was sent off with a red card after colliding with WHS goalie Beau Acoba in the 62nd minute.

But with time winding down in the 80th minute, Waimea was called for a hand ball in the box. Corey Nemeth nailed the ensuing penalty kick in the lower right side of the goal, but the referee called it back because of illegal movement along the line. Nemeth took a breath and nailed the second kick – in nearly the exact spot – to earn a 1-1 draw.

Photos by Ron Kosen, Photo Spectrum Kaua’i