HANAPEPE — It was was almost a given that yesterday would be a fairly nice day, especially in Hanapepe, but not for the Waimea girls and Kapa’a boys soccer squads, who were blitzed yesterday in the hot westside sun. The
HANAPEPE — It was was almost a given that yesterday would be a fairly nice day, especially in Hanapepe, but not for the Waimea girls and Kapa’a boys soccer squads, who were blitzed yesterday in the hot westside sun.
The Warrior (1-0) girls started the varsity action off with a convincing 4-0 win over the Menehune.
However, Waimea played Kapa’a tough in the first half, as both teams headed into the locker rooms at a 0-0 standstill.
Then it was the Ka’ala Leong show, especially towards the latter part of the second half.
The swift junior netted three goals in six minutes, the 73rd, 74th, and 79th minutes of the final stanza.
Sophomore Leila Barnett scored Kapa’a’s first goal of the season in the 58th minute of the second half.
Meanwhile, the Waimea (1-0) boys picked up from right where they left off last season.
Last year’s third-best team in the state shut the door on Kapa’a from the start.
Waimea ran out to a 3-0 lead at the half, thanks to goals from Scott Martin (3rd minute, 32nd minute) and Ryan Kunselman (25th minute).
Kapa’a stormed back in the second half, as Chance Bukoski took over with two goals, one in the 56th minute and another in the 79th minutes on a penalty kick, but the Menehune prevailed, 4-2.
The day wouldn’t have been complete, though, without a goal by the KIF’s reigning player of the year, Chad “Mighty Mouse” Thompson.
The all-state senior netted his first goal of the season in the 59th minute. Thompson also chipped in with an assist.
Waimea goalie Ansen Acain fared extremely well in his first game starting in the net for the Menehune.
Kenny Estes and Kollin Morikawa led Waimea in the defensive department.
Kapa’a goalie Tom Yotwongjai put in a good effort in the net for the Warriors. Rayom Ribiero and Asiss Rupert were tough on the offensive side for Kapa’a. Michael Almadova shadowed Thompson and kept him quiet until the end of the contest.
Kaua’i opens up its season against Kapa’a on Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium. Varsity action begins at 1:30 p.m. The JV games kick off at 10 a.m. JV soccer scores weren’t available yesterday.
