PUHI — Voyagers freshman midfielder Conor Hunt netted two goals as Island School’s varsity boys soccer team defeated Kauai High, 3-nil, Saturday afternoon at home. “The boys are being resilient about looking for options and seizing the moment,” said Island
PUHI — Voyagers freshman midfielder Conor Hunt netted two goals as Island School’s varsity boys soccer team defeated Kauai High, 3-nil, Saturday afternoon at home.
“The boys are being resilient about looking for options and seizing the moment,” said Island School head coach Sean Magoun. “I think that they generated a great deal of offensive opportunities today and we were able to capitalize on a couple of them, which was really great. And that’s to be celebrated. The boys are really excited. That’s why you play the game.”
Hunt scored his first goal midway through the first half, taking a couple of touches before striking from inside the penalty area. He then scored again at the 50th minute again inside the 18-yard box.
“We all played special today. There’s a feeling where it’s a regular game versus a game where everyone plays together as a team. That’s how we showed up today,” Hunt said.
Voyagers sophomore forward Alae Miike scored in the closing minutes, chipping in a shot from outside the penalty area toward an empty net as Red Raiders sophomore goalkeeper Whitney Lugo was out of position from attempting to block a Voyagers shot seconds before.
With the win, Island School (2-0-1 KIF) stays atop the league standings.
“We’re not preoccupied with our standings. We’re preoccupied with focusing on every game, and making each game a better one than the previous game,” Magoun said. “If we can do that, then I’m hoping for positive results. That’s why we play the game. Sometimes, it’s a difficult and frustrating game. Other times, it’s a wonder to watch them play. So, the boys are working diligently, and we’re taking it one step at a time.”
At the start of the second half, Red Raiders junior forward Shane Takeuchi took a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box but the sailed high.
Later in the half, Red Raiders junior forward Maka Bailey took a shot toward goal off a free kick from outside the penalty area. The shot went straight to Voyagers senior goalie Andres Elzaurdia.
“Their composure and their finishing — no matter how we try at practice, they’re not really used to it. I think they become a little bit nervous and too anxious in front of the goal,” said Kauai head coach Martin Steinhaus. “We create the situations, but finishing has been a problem for us.
“It’s funny because before, we scored four goals in two games. But if you watched those two games, we should have scored double than that. We missed so many opportunities,” he continued. “We’re trying to improve on that. It’s just a matter of time for them to be firing on all cylinders, including shooting.”
Steinhaus expects his team to have better showings as the season goes on.
“We definitely played against a well-oiled team, comprised mostly of soccer players. It’s a great learning experience for us. For some of my boys, soccer is not a year-round first sport,” he said. “Playing against good teams is how you elevate your game. So, I appreciate that effort. They tried their best, and eventually they’re going to play better.”
Magoun said of his team not allowing a Red Raiders goal: “If we can goal set, and say, ‘Let’s do this better this game,’ that’s what we’re trying to do. One of them was trying to have a shutout today. It’s not always going to be the case. But if we can, then great.”
Island School will next play Kapaa (0-2-1 KIF) at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium. Kauai (0-1-2 KIF) will play Waimea (1-0-2 KIF) at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Hanapepe Stadium.
Scoring summary
Island School: Conor Hunt 2 (24’, 50’), Alae Miike (79’)
Ventura scores twice, Red Raider girls beat Voyagers
Sophomore forward Kehela Ventura again lead the Red Raiders offense and scored twice as Kauai High School’s varsity girls soccer team defeated Island, 3-nil, Saturday morning in Puhi.
“It was a good win. We came out a little flat this morning, but we put it together in the second half and starting playing our style,” said Kauai head coach Joe Cassler. “We were just playing slow compared to what we played Wednesday against Kapaa. I’d really like to have the girls maintain the intensity, no matter who our opponent is or what game we’re in.”
Ventura got the match’s opening goal at the seventh minute, possessing the ball as she made a run toward the penalty area before taking the shot.
She scored again at the 61st minute, taking a shot inside the penalty off a cross served by Red Raiders junior midfielder Kyla Bandsma.
“Like I said last time, she (Ventura) just has a knack for goals,” Cassler said. “She finds space and takes advantage of the opportunities she’s given. That’s what she did today.”
Bandsma also scored for Kauai High (4-1-0 KIF), striking from distance at the 36th minute.
Voyagers senior midfielder Ali Temme took a shot toward goal from distance off a free kick, but the ball was blocked and cleared out by Red Raiders senior defender Chase Tokita.
Temme had another shot towards the end of the first half, again taking a shot from outside the 18-yard box but the ball went over the crossbar.
“We’re continuing to play it out. We did a little better than the last game against them,” said Island School head coach Colby Ayonon. “We’re slowly getting better. We just got to pick up that pace.
“We tried to play. We didn’t just try to drive it down their throats and kick longs balls. We’re trying to play it out, but we got to do a bit better on passing and composure,” he continued. “Kauai High is a good team. They definitely finished their opportunities. We had a few opportunities that we could have capitalized on. If we had one of those, it would give us a little boost. But we’ll keep working on it.”
Kauai will play Waimea (0-5-0 KIF) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hanapepe Stadium. Island School (2-3-0 KIF) will play Kapaa (4-1-0 KIF) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium.
Scoring summary
Kauai: Kehela Ventura 2 (7’, 61’), Kyla Bandsma (36’)
At Island School
Varsity girls: Kauai 3, Island 0
Kauai goalscorers: Kehela Ventura 2, Kyla Bandsma
Varsity boys: Island 3, Kauai 0
Island goalscorers: Conor Hunt 2, Alae Miike
At Vidinha Stadium
Varsity girls: Kapaa 9, Waimea 0
Kapaa goalscorers: Kaisha Davis-Caberto 3, Natalie Devin 2, Brianna Binder 2, Talia Washington
Waimea goalscorer: Kalsie Camelo (OG)
Varsity boys: Waimea 4, Kapaa 0
Waimea goalscorers: Tayedyn Francisco 2, Galen Agtunong, Carl Mecham
JV girls: Kauai 1, Kapaa 1
Kauai goalscorer: Kassidie Bukoski
Kapaa goalscorer: Mahealani Chandler
JV boys: Kapaa 3, Waimea 3
Kapaa goalscorers: Nicholas Semblante 2, River Owen
Waimea goalscorers: Ryan Banasihan 2, Isaiah Blass
