LIHUE — The Red Raiders started their regular season with consecutive wins.
Kauai High School’s varsity girls soccer team defeated Kapaa High School, 5-0, Wednesday afternoon at Vidinha Stadium.
“We were really able to capitalize today,” said Kauai head coach Auika Metcalfe. “I was very impressed on their ability to possess the ball and, again, distribute out to our wings, out to our forward and then finishing. I felt that’s what we were really strong on.”
Red Raiders senior forward Kehela Ventura and junior midfielder Eryka Napoleon each netted braces in the win.
Ventura scored both of her goals late in the second half. Napoleon scored the game’s first goal at the 26th minute and then got her second at the 80th minute.
Napoleon’s brace comes after netting a hat trick against Waimea in the season opener Saturday.
“Those two girls are talking to me all the time,” Metcalfe said. “We’re game-planning, strategizing and constantly finding ways to improve and get better.”
Kauai’s Cheyann Fujii scored early in the second half when she appeared to serve a cross from the far side of the field but the ball made its way to the net.
Through two matches, Kauai (2-0 KIF) has scored 11 goals and has posted two shutouts.
“We’ve got a really good group of girls this year,” Metcalfe said. “They’re really working hard on the things that we feel we really needed to work on coming from last year into this year.”
Kapaa (1-1 KIF) was awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box early in the first half. Kapaa’s Dina Hayes took a shot, but her ball went above the crossbar.
The Warriors had also had a chance to score in stoppage time. Kapaa’s Taelyn Nunes chased after the ball that was served toward goal, but Red Raiders goalkeeper Janelle Puplava intercepted the ball to deny Kapaa.
“You know, rumor had it that Kauai High was the team to beat this year. They proved it today,” said Kapaa head coach Andrea Alfiler. “They have a lot of talented individuals and a great squad. I’d say they outperformed us today and really executed in the final third (of the field). Yeah, they’re a great team.”
Alfiler added the offense didn’t “connect as well” against Kauai compared to when Kapaa beat Island School on Saturday in the season opener.
“I think our build-up was really lacking — not playing into our supporting players and joining into the attack,” she said. “I definitely think we weren’t in-sync offensively today.”
Kauai will host Island School on Saturday at noon at Vidinha Stadium. Kapaa will play against Waimea at 1:45 p.m. at Hanapepe Stadium.
Freitas nets brace, Menehune girls get 1st win of the season
PUHI — After a scoreless first half, the Menehune went ahead in the second half to get their first win of the year.
Waimea High School’s varsity girls soccer team defeated Island School, 2-0, Wednesday afternoon in Puhi.
“The girls, they got off to a slow start at the beginning. But at the half, we just talked them about the passing,” said Waimea assistant coach U’ilani Albarado. “Once they could do that and put that together, once they start to pass and work together, they could adjust. That’s what they did.”
She added: “The first win is always great to have, especially because we worked so hard prior to the season starting. Once the season starts, that’s what you look for — that first win. It really brought up the girls.”
Menehune sophomore forward Jenessa Freitas netted a brace in the second half to deliver Waimea a win on the road.
“Jenessa’s an excellent player. She works really hard in practice and in the classroom as well. We’re really proud of her,” Albarado said.
Waimea will host Kapaa at 1:45 p.m. Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium. Island School will play against Kauai on Saturday at noon at Vidinha Stadium.
Boys soccer season opener
Saturday will also mark the season opening of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation varsity boys soccer season.
Waimea will host Kapaa at 11:45 a.m. at Hanapepe Stadium. Kauai will host Island School at 10 a.m. Saturday at Vidinha Stadium.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
