PUHI — Kapaa High School’s varsity girls soccer team defeated Island School, 5-nil, Tuesday afternoon.
“We’re trying to get to one goal. We’re working at it, but there’s definitely room for improvement,” said Kapaa head coach Mytra McKeague.
Kapaa (6-0-1 KIF) scored four goals in the first half. Warriors senior forward April Barnes scored twice in the half.
The Warriors got their first goal at the ninth minute. Kapaa was awarded a corner kick. Senior outside halfback Kyla Bandsma took the kick, and sophomore outside halfback Talia Washington headed the ball toward goal.
Bandsma got the team’s second goal minutes after Washington’s goal.
Warriors sophomore outside halfback Maya Loughead scored at the 70th minute from inside the penalty area. Barnes had the assist.
“We always preach to the girls, ‘The way you practice is the way you’re going to perform,’” McKeague said. “April getting two goals, it shows that she’s working hard at practice.”
She added about not suffering a loss up to this point of the season: “We always preach to them that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. We’re taking it slow. Like I’ve said, a lot of work to do still. There’s still a lot more games.”
Island School (1-5-1 KIF) had few scoring chances.
The Voyagers had a chance for a score minutes before halftime, and it would have been a stunner.
With Kapaa’s goalkeeper playing outside the 18-yard box, Island School senior midfielder Hannah Whelan took a crack from about midfield. Her ball went just wide of the post.
“We tried to catch her off her line there. It was just a little wide right,” said Island School head coach Colby Ayonon. “Definitely checked their keeper there. That would have been a nice flip-in before the half. But, unfortunate (it didn’t go in).”
Minutes into the second half, Island School was awarded a corner kick but the ball was cleared out.
“I think we played a lot better in the second half,” Ayonon said. “Just goes to show that going into the half, down as much as we were, they still battled. They still fight. They don’t give up. A couple of them got bumped a little but, but they got a little rest and got right back in the game. They’re really hungry to play. A lot of them are pushing for a starting position. So, it’s a good push for our program.”
Kapaa next plays Waimea High School at 1:30 p.m. at Hanapepe Stadium. Island School will play against Kauai High at 10 a.m. Saturday at Vidinha Stadium.
Scoring summary
Kapaa: April Barnes 2 (29’, 38’), Talia Washington (9’), Kyla Bandsma (13’), Maya Loughead (70’)
