LIHUE — Kauai High School forward Makenna Domingo took a shot from the left side late in the second half Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium.
The shot on goal soared through traffic and sent Waimea goalkeeper Luana Gadingan, taking over for starting goalie Leiko Yamauchi, high at the goal mouth as the ball cleared the top bar, eliciting a groan from the Red Raider bench.
“She really wanted that goal,” said Kauai coach Auika Metcalfe. “Today is her birthday and the goal would have been a good birthday present.”
Kauai High School celebrated its 12-0 win instead.
Kehela Ventura notched five goals to lead the Kauai varsity’s win, getting help from a hat trick from Mia Takekuma. Chassidy Cantorna added a goal to enhance Kauai’s 8-0 lead at the half. Sonoi Kawakami, Lindsey Nakea-Tresler and Eryka Napolean rounded out the Kauai scoring.
“The girls worked really hard out there,” Metcalfe said. “We have a good set of girls who know how to work hard and have fun. We didn’t go out there expecting anything but to work hard.”
Waimea goalkeeper Yamauchi worked hard despite allowing the Raider goals. She got solid help from Tori Santiago, Jazziana Ahuna and Kaira Kelekoma.
“The girls played hard,” said Ui Albarado of the coaching staff led by Shelby Erdman. “They’ve been working hard since we started practice two months ago, and some are recovering from injuries. But we’re proud of them because of their discipline, and they are very coachable. We still have a lot more soccer to play.”
Earlier, Kauai High School’s junior varsity walked off with a 16-1 win over the Menehune JV, Bella Bateman finding the net in the 40th minute to prevent a shutout.
Kauai JV was led by Jenna Taniguchi netting five goals, Audrey Yukimura and Jessica Herljac each netting four goals apiece. Kaylee Alapai finished with two goals and a Noe Kaya net in the 67th minute accounted for the scoring.
No official final score was available from the Kapaa and Island School match being waged at Vidinha Stadium, although one parent indicated that the Warriors were 7-0 winners over the Voyagers.
Kyla Bandsma started the ball rolling for Kapaa, coming up from the right side and rifling a shot past Island School goalkeeper Emma Kelekoma at the 10-minute mark. Her goal was quickly followed by another Warrior challenging Kelekoma at the goal mouth.
Kapaa next challenges Waimea at Vidinha Stadium, and Kauai travels to Island School to face the Voyagers Wednesday. Both games start at 4 p.m.
“We take the games day by day,” Metcalfe said. “I played as a Raider and had some collegiate play time. I want that same experience for the girls — play the game the way it’s supposed to be played, and enjoy themselves.”
