HANAPEPE — Kapaa High School’s varsity boys soccer team defeated Waimea High, 1-nil, Saturday afternoon in Hanapepe Stadium.
With Saturday’s result, both Kapaa and Waimea are tied at the top of the standings halfway through the regular season.
“We’re in control of our destiny, which is where I like to be at this point,” said Kapaa head coach Kevin Cram. “If we can get them to play better, I think we have a good opportunity.”
Kapaa (4-2 KIF) scored the match’s only goal at the 66th minute. Warriors junior forward Ryno Banasihan was in position in the 18-yard box to get a rebound.
Banasihan slotted the ball past Menehune senior goalkeeper Kaimi Lau San-Agustin for the match-winning goal.
“I was just in the right place at the right time because my coaches knew exactly what to do,” Banasihan said. “It was all my teammates, though. I just put the cherry on top, I guess.”
Warriors senior forward Joshua Layaoen had a shot on goal at the 80th minute. He took a strike from in the penalty area, but San-Agustin made the save on his shot attempt.
“We’re still not playing as well as I know we can, but they played hard enough to get the goal,” Cram said. “I think they worked hard and they wanted it, and they came out with a good result.”
Waimea (4-2 KIF) had a chance at an equalizer at the 77th minute.
Menehune senior midfielder Kody Gardner took a crack in the 18-yard box, but Warriors junior goalie Chyson Lagunes-Rapozo made a diving save to keep Kapaa’s lead intact.
Waimea had an ensuing corner kick, but nothing came of it.
After starting the season 4-0, Waimea is now on a two-game losing streak.
“It’s always disappointing to lose, but we’re facing a lot of things that were challenging for us to have a full squad today,” said Waimea head coach Kapono Chong-Hanssen. “I’m proud of the effort today. We gave ourselves a chance. We made a mistake and paid for it. That just happens. So, disappointing, especially to have two in a row like this. We’ll just move on from here and keep on progressing.”
Kapaa will next play against Kauai High School (1-5 KIF) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium. Waimea will host Island School (3-3 KIF) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hanapepe Stadium.
Saturday’s varsity results
Varsity boys: Kapaa 1, Waimea 0; Kapaa goal scorer: Ryno Banasihan
Varsity boys: Island 7, Kauai 1; Island goal scorers: Alae Miike 2, Ryan Yavinsky 2, Kyle Leibow, Brandon Beydoun, Emi De La Mora; Kauai goal scorer: Dodger Middlebrook
Varsity girls: Kapaa 12, Waimea 1; Kapaa goal scorers: April Barnes 4, Kyla Bandsma 4, Brianna Binder 2, Kaylee Overmyer, Paris Tangelder; Waimea goal scorer: Jenessa Freitas
Varsity girls: Kauai 2, Island 1; Kauai goal scorers: Shayna Shigematsu, Mia Takekuma; Island goal scorer: McKenzie Hubbard
Nick
Nice article !
Any photos or story about the IS bs KHS boys game Saturday?
Mahalo
Rick