PUHI — The Warriors started their season with two straight wins.
Kapaa High School’s varsity boys soccer team defeated Island School, 2-1, Thursday afternoon at the Island School campus in Puhi.
“It’s a better start than what we had last year, when we lost two and won one in the first round,” said Kapaa head coach Kevin Cram. “The boys have the potential to play well. We’re asking a little different system of play out of them, and some of them are doing it and other are a little slow picking up. But if we all get on the same page, then we should all expect good things.”
Kapaa (2-0-0 KIF) scored both its goals in the first half.
At the 16th minute, the Warriors were awarded a penalty kick after a Voyagers player tripped an opponent in the penalty area. Kapaa’s Caden Donner took the kick and slotted it past Voyagers goalkeeper Kaimana Moraes.
Later in the half, Kapaa’s Ryno Banasihan scored after making a run with the ball toward goal.
“One of the good things we have happening this year is we have some speed on the front line,” Cram said. “If we can get them to work together, they can create opportunities. If they can keep the ball down and go in the goal rather than around it, we’ll definitely be better.”
Island School (0-1-1 KIF) got on the board in stoppage time. Off a throw-in, Island’s Ryan Stevens scored the goal inside the 18-yard box.
“It was a nice throw-in with a flick on by the player,” said Island School head coach Sean Magoun. “He’s an opportunist hunting for the ball. He caught the keeper off-guard, which was great.”
Magoun added: “He’s a freshman. And if you notice, he’s pretty small. The odds are stacked against him to begin with, but the result is still just as good going in the net.”
Island had a handful of scoring chances, but the shots weren’t quite accurate enough to challenge Kapaa goalkeeper Chysen Lagunes-Rapozo.
In the middle of the second half, Island’s AJ Galiza took shots toward goal from well outside the 18-yard box, but both shots missed.
“That’s experience for you. The more we shoot, the more opportunities we’ll have looking at the net,” Magoun said. “Eventually, we’re going to have them start go in. It’s just a matter of refining those opportunities.”
Kapaa will play Kauai High School (1-0-1 KIF) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Vidinha Stadium. Island School will play against Waimea (0-2-0 KIF) at noon Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium.
Scoring summary
Kapaa: Caden Donner (16’ PEN), Ryno Banasihan (38’)
Island: Ryan Stevens (80+’)
Discipline
Island: Josh Graves, yellow (dangerous play)
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
