LIHU‘E — Hanalei improved to 2-0-0 and six points in the Kaua‘i Men’s Soccer Association standings following Sunday’s 9-3 win over Canefire. Ikaika Fuerte, the Hawai‘i Pacific University soccer standout, paced the Hanalei victory with a hat trick. Gino Quintana
LIHU‘E — Hanalei improved to 2-0-0 and six points in the Kaua‘i Men’s Soccer Association standings following Sunday’s 9-3 win over Canefire.
Ikaika Fuerte, the Hawai‘i Pacific University soccer standout, paced the Hanalei victory with a hat trick. Gino Quintana and Dan Prigge each added two goals with Christian Marston and Mauricio Cury rounding out the win with a goal each.
Coming from a 5-1 deficit, Canefire got two goals by Juan Perez to get back to a 5-3 deficit before Hanalei surged ahead with four goals.
The Afterburners, last year’s champions in the men’s league, got goals from Eli Emery and Leroy Emery in its 2-2 tie against Kryptonite, which marked scores from Eddie Adams and Zak Davis.
With the minutes ticking down, the Afterburners were awarded a penalty kick, but that shot was blocked by the Kryptonite goalkeeper to preserve the 2-2 deadlock.
That stalemate puts the Afterburners in second, just two points back of Hanalei with four points at 1-0-1. Kryptonite locks in third place at 0-1-1 and a point with Canefire (0-2-0) looking for its first win.
Gary Hudson, spokesman for the KMSA, said there are four teams that make up the league — Canefire, Hanalei, Kryptonite and the Afterburners.
The KMSA season opened Jan. 10 and will run weekly through the Kaua‘i Cup Championship, May 30.
“The majority of our games will be played at Vidinha Stadium on Sundays starting at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.,” Hudson said. “There will be some exceptions when a couple of matches will be played simultaneously at the new Lydgate Sports Field.”
This Sunday, Hanalei will defend its standings lead against the Afterburners starting at 4 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium. Kryptonite will battle Canefire in the nightcap starting at 6:30 p.m.
Hudson encouraged players, coaches and soccer fans to make an attempt at supporting the men’s league games.
“This is the best soccer we have on the island, talent-wise,” Hudson said. “This is a World Cup year and soccer is the fastest growing sport on our island. The admission is free.”
