HANAPEPE — Waimea High School’s varsity girls soccer team got its first win of the season, defeating Island School, 2-nil, Wednesday at Hanapepe Stadium.
Waimea varsity girls assistant coach U’i Albarado said, at least to her knowledge, it’s been years since Waimea’s girls team has won a match.
“We’re trying to figure that out,” Albarado said Thursday. “I used to coach quite a while ago. Even when I was coaching back then (in 2000), we never won a game. So, I’m not sure. That would be interesting. We were all asking that question.”
She added: “We’re very happy for the girls. They’ve come so (far). We keep reminding them that this year, we’re just trying to regroup this whole program. We’re trying to put things together and see what fits, trying to find positions. … They’ve been really working really hard. We’re so proud of them.”
Harley Nonaka got Waimea’s first goal at the 54th minute. Jenessa Freitas then scored at the 58th minute on a penalty kick.
“Being at home and winning for the first time in so long, it was a huge celebration. Not only for the girls, but for the parents and supports as well and the entire school,” Albarado said. “It’s a real morale booster for everyone. … We were just really excited. After we scored, we were in shock. Then after they (scored) another one, we were like, ‘Oh, my goodness. It really didn’t set in because with Island School, anything can happen. They played really hard, too.”
Waimea’s Kairah Alejandro and Island’s Lola Temme each got yellow cards for unsporting behavior.
Waimea (1-7-1 KIF) will next host Kauai High School at 11:45 on Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium. Island School (1-7-1) will play Kapaa at 10 a.m. Saturday at Vidinha Stadium.
In the varsity boys match following the girls, Island School got a 3-1 win over Waimea.
The Voyagers’ first goal came at the 14th minute when senior midfielder Emi De La Mora converted on a penalty kick. Menehune junior forward Shayden Duldulao equalized at the 25th minute.
Then Island School scored twice in the second half. Sophomore midfielder Benjamin Griep scored on a free kick at the 64th minute, and senior forward Brandon Beydoun scored at the 69th minute to ice the win.
Beydoun and Waimea’s Ian Malabe and Kaimi Lau San-Agustin each were issued yellow cards for unsporting behavior.
Island School (4-3 KIF) will play Kapaa at noon Saturday at Vidinha Stadium. Waimea (4-3) will host Kauai High at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium.
