PUHI — Colby and Maja Ayonon were first timers as varsity soccer coaches for Island School. Both former coaches with the Kapaa High School soccer program, the husband-and-wife duo continued their magic with the Voyager girls who took the field
PUHI — Colby and Maja Ayonon were first timers as varsity soccer coaches for Island School.
Both former coaches with the Kapaa High School soccer program, the husband-and-wife duo continued their magic with the Voyager girls who took the field for the first time on Saturday.
The inaugural outing came up short for the Voyagers, though, as Kauai High School girls took a 4-0 win in the opening game of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation.
Kauai, which looked strong against Hilo during a preseason outing that ended in a tie, worked out the kinks in its system despite losing two of its players who were taking the SAT tests.
A strong defensive exchange opened the game, and an Island School foul opened the scoreboards for Kauai in the 23rd minute.
Kaylie Tamura took the penalty kick from about 20 yards out, the ball sailing well beyond the outstretched arms of the Voyager goalkeeper.
Arcing in the wind, the ball went to Janae Souza, who positioned herself just inside the goal to head the ball in the net for the opening goal.
The goal only served to stiffen the Voyager defense.
With three minutes left in the half, Kauai got another opportunity when Tamura lofted the ball for the second goal on another penalty kick for the 2-0 margin at the break.
Coming off the rest, the Voyagers turned up its offense, triggering Kauai’s defensive efforts, sparked by Sara Koide and Mia Chan.
Despite the Voyager stance, Kauai scored again in the 70th minute when Caitlyn Cantorna, who played strong through the first half, took the ball from midfield, skimming the wing, and despite a strong effort from Island School’s Irie Driscoll, got the shot off at the box for Kauai’s third score.
Kauai’s final goal came in the 73rd minute when Baily Hanna headed in a corner kick.
“We can still play better than that,” said Kauai coach Kevin Devitt following the win. “We still have time to improve, and our next big test comes Wednesday.”
Kauai High School girls will play Kapaa High School, whose coach Kevin Prem served as a step-in referee on Saturday. The junior varsity game kicks off at 2:15 p.m. followed by the varsity girls kicking off at 4 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium.
The other KIF opening games were pushed back due to the visit of the Miliani Trojans playing Kauai High School and Waimea High School on Saturday. Waimea girls, traveling to Vidinha to meet Kapaa, will start at 2:15 p.m. for the JV girls and a 4 p.m. start for the varsity girls.
Waimea next hosts Island School Wednesday in a single game starting at 4 p.m. at Hanapepe Stadium.
