PUHI — The Kailua Surfriders girls varsity soccer team wrapped its Kauai tour with two wins Sunday after taking a 5-0 win over Island School at the Voyager campus.
“We have a young team,” said Bobby Ayonon, father of Island School coach Colby Ayonon. “A lot of the girls are first year on the Voyager squad.”
The inexperienced Voyagers did not let that stop them as the defense, anchored by Cassidy Hubbard, Ella Beck and Jenivive Neto, held the Surfriders scoreless through the first 30 minutes of play despite the Surfriders having the ball in Voyager territory for most of that time.
Kailua’s Khyrstin Kohatsu, listed as one of three freshmen on the Surfrider squad, played the middle effectively, and in the 30th minute pondered an assist or taking the shot.
Kohatsu unleashed her leg for the first score that came on a pass from the left wing into middle traffic. She followed the score with two assists on Surfrider scores, feeding Hilina‘i Keeno for Kailua’s second score that came in the 35th minute.
Three minutes later, Kohatsu fed Kiersten Lau on the left side for a near point-blank goal to give the Surfriders a 3-0 bulge at the break.
Lau came off the break in the second half to feed Kelei Hooker for the Surfriders’ final score in the 76th minute, just a few plays before Hooker went down hard on the sidelines to end her outing on the field.
Earlier, Kailua’s Keely Smith found the net in the 48th minute for the Surfriders’ fourth goal in the victory.
Island School boys varsity coach Sean Magoun said earlier in the weekend Oahu’s Sacred Hearts Academy also had its soccer team on the island.
“We were down 1-0 at the half against Sacred Hearts Saturday,” Magoun said. “Then, they came back with two goals in the second half to take a 3-0 win. Despite the loss, Coach Colby said he was pleased with how the girls played and handled themselves on the field. This is still the preseason.”
According to Bobby Ayonon, Kapaa High School suffered a 2-0 loss against Kailua Friday afternoon, and also were defeated 2-0 by Sacred Hearts Saturday afternoon at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Sports Park in Wailua.
In the win over the Warriors Friday, Keeno struck the first goal for the Surfriders in the 38th minute for the 1-0 lead at the break. Kylee Smith took a penalty kick for Kailua’s second score in the 54th minute.
Both Kauai High School and Waimea High School girls varsity teams were involved in off-island tournaments so did not play against Kailua or Sacred Hearts.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
