Kaiser edges Castle to remain unbeaten in OIA East play

Greg Yamamoto | SL

Kalie Otani broke through for the lone score in the 52nd minute to lift Kaiser to a hard fought home win over Castle, improving the Cougars to 4-0 in the OIA East.

Though listed as a keeper on the team roster, Otani was central to the Cougars in the attacking half against the Knights, coming close on a few chances in the first half before finally finding success on a run down the left wing in the second half.

"I was just trying to get in behind the defense, got a nice ball from my teammate. It's what we've been working on in practice, finishing, I just wanted to help my team out," said Otani of the goal.

Castle's best chance to equalize came in the 67th minute, as the Knights broke through for a clean shot on goal from the left side just outside the box that appeared poised to tuck into the left edge. But keeper Malia Felix laid out for the save and managed to slap the ball away at the last moment, preserving the Kaiser lead and ultimately the win.

"It was huge. Malia came up with a great save," Otani said. "Our defense has been working a lot and that just a nice save by Malia."

Kaiser had a chance to put the game completely out of reach in the 80th minute as Otani found herself with a clear shot well inside the box with only the goalie to beat, but her shot sailed wide left.