Kapa‘a High’s boys soccer team enjoyed a late-game surge to defeat Waimea High 6-0 yesterday, claiming the KIF title. The Warriors (6-0-1) were held to a pair of goals from Ikaika Fuerte and Assis Rupert in the first half, but
Kapa‘a High’s boys soccer team enjoyed a late-game surge to defeat Waimea High 6-0 yesterday, claiming the KIF title.
The Warriors (6-0-1) were held to a pair of goals from Ikaika Fuerte and Assis Rupert in the first half, but outplayed the Menehune (0-8) in the second.
“In the second half, our players were just still going and conditioning was the key to that,” said Kapa‘a head coach Kevin Cram.
Rupert got the team rolling after the half with his second goal. A corner kick from Daniel Rodrick set Coty Salausa to score from the opposite side. When Chance Bukoski broke away, beating several defenders, he opted to go for the less dramatic goal and tapped the ball in.
That’s not to say that Waimea didn’t have its opportunities. They had several close attempts but couldn’t follow through.
“I was thinking just put it in,” said head coach Ken Morikawa. “I just wanted them to play a clean, hard game and they did that. (Kapa‘a’s) a good team going to states.”
With minutes left in the game, Ian Lactaotao’s goal secured the win and a spot in the state tournament on O‘ahu, Feb. 14-17.
Cram is confident that his team can do well at the tournament and has really only one concern.
“Other than the potential of playing four games in a row there, they’ve just got to play hard like they did here. I’m hoping they’ll do that,” he said.
Kapa‘a’s girls soccer team also blanked Waimea, 4-0, but they still have to win this Saturday against Kaua‘i to claim the KIF title.
“We have to come off playing hard,” said head coach Crissi Marti. “If the girls play with the intensity they’ve been playing with they should be fine.”
Lizzie Blaylock wasted no time rushing the goal. After several shot attempts were deflected, she stuck with it and scored.
Jocelyn Enrique enjoyed an intense game, stepping up and scoring two. She claims she was just following orders.
“At the beginning of the match, my coach said go in and play with intensity and I just wanted to do what my coach told me to do,” she said. “After my first goal in the first half, I just felt motivated and confident.”
In the second half, she was told to turn the heat up.
“She told me and Ka‘ala (Leong) we had 15 minutes to score before she takes us out,” Enrique said.
First to jump at that was Leong, who scored the team’s third goal.
Then it was Enrique’s turn to score.
“I didn’t do it in 15 minutes, I did in 21,” she said.
Enrique can’t wait for the match up against Kaua‘i.
“I’m going to go out there and hopefully with the same intensity and do the same,” she said. “Hopefully I’ll get another goal or maybe help someone else score.”
Marti is confident Enrique will bring it.
“She could’ve had a hat trick today. She must have taken some 30 shots,” Marti said. “Hopefully Saturday she’ll be right on target.”
Kapa‘a plays Kaua‘i Saturday at Vidinha Stadium at 3:30 p.m.
