PUHI — With the season winding down, the Voyagers at the moment share the top spot.
Island School’s varsity boys soccer team defeated Waimea High School, 3-1, Saturday afternoon in Puhi.
With Friday’s results, Island School and Kapaa are both tied at the top of the season standings. In Saturday’s other varsity boys soccer match, Kapaa and Kauai high schools played to a nil-nil draw at Vidinha Stadium.
“It’s a great win for the boys. They should be elated with how they played for each other and how they played as a unit,” said Island School head coach Sean Magoun. “We were patient. They played the full 80 minutes. What more can you ask? It’s indicative of a long season, and there’s lots of things that can happen.”
Island School (6-4 KIF, 18 points) took a 1-nil lead into halftime. Voyagers senior forward Brandon Beydoun scored at the 35th minute, taking a few touches toward goal before taking a shot.
“Like I said to my boys before, ‘There’s three hills left in the season.’ We just got over the first one,” Beydoun said. “Big win for the boys. Proud of everyone. We played for each other today, and we came out with a win.”
The Voyagers then scored twice in the second half to get a 3-nil lead.
Senior midfielder Ryan Yavinsky scored about midway through the half from inside the 18-yard box. Beydoun had the assist on Yavinsky’s score.
Later on, Island scored again on a Menehune own goal. Voyagers sophomore midfielder Kieren Mitchell was credited with the score.
“As the season goes, you’re constantly reflecting on what it is we need to do better,” Magoun said. “I think it’s easy to play in the heat of the moment and forget that you’re playing for 80 minutes. But when you do play for 80 minutes, you’re thoughtful and concise. I think they were deliberate today in playing the whole game.”
Waimea (5-4-1 KIF, 16 points) got its only goal during stoppage time. Menehune senior defender Ian Malabe scored from inside the penalty area.
Early in the first half, a couple of Menehune players collided heads while playing a ball.
Sophomore defender Keith Kanna and sophomore midfielder River Owen were both injured on the play. Kanna was well enough to go back onto the field, but Owen didn’t return to the match.
“We had our opportunities. Even before the deficit, we had our opportunities, too, In the course of the game, there was fatigue, too,” said Waimea head coach Kapono Chong-Hanssen. “It didn’t go our way. They capitalized on their opportunities. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.
“Unlucky way to start the game with injuries, but you got to just deal with it and move people around. But, of course, that wasn’t the way we wanted to plan the game. But you just got to work with it and see what you can do.”
Waimea now faces an uphill climb as the team aims for its third-consecutive league championship with just two matches left.
“It’s disappointing to not control your own destiny, but to be honest, it doesn’t really change your approach that much,” Chong-Hanssen said. “From this game and before, it was a must-win. Must-win (before) was we win the KIF. Now, must-win is we have a chance to win KIF. But the approach is the same. We’ll just keep on working.”
Island School will play against Kapaa (5-2-3 KIF, 18 points) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium. Waimea will host Kauai High School (1-7-2 KIF, 5 points) at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at Hanapepe Stadium.
Scoring summary: Island School: Brandon Beydoun (35’), Ryan Yavinsky (58’), Kieren Mitchell (65’); Waimea: Ian Malabe (81’)
Saturday’s varsity results
Varsity girls: Island School 2, Waimea 0; Island goal scorers: Sophia Sherrer, McKenzie Hubbard
Varsity girls: Kauai 2, Kapaa 1; Kauai goal scorers: Kehela Ventura (PK), Tia Fulks; Kapaa goal scorer: April Barnes; Discipline: Lindsey Nakea-Tresler, Kauai, yellow (unsporting behavior)
Varsity boys: Kauai 0, Kapaa 0
