LIHUE — With just a couple of games left in the regular season, the Menehune keep their hold on the season standing’s top spot. Waimea High School’s varsity boys soccer team defeated Kauai High, 3-nil, Saturday afternoon in a windy
LIHUE — With just a couple of games left in the regular season, the Menehune keep their hold on the season standing’s top spot.
Waimea High School’s varsity boys soccer team defeated Kauai High, 3-nil, Saturday afternoon in a windy match at Vidinha Stadium.
“Challenging conditions today. I wouldn’t say we played great. I’d say we got the job done,” said Waimea head coach Kapono Chong-Hanssen. “We did what we needed to do to get the win.”
Waimea (6-1-3 KIF) scored two goals in the first half.
Menehune senior forward Isaiah Duldulao scored the opening goal at the 28th minute from inside the 18-yard box. Senior midfielder Justin Fune provided the through ball to Duldulao.
Senior forward Carl Mecham got the second at just before halftime, taking a few touches toward goal before striking from inside the penalty area.
Mecham scored again in the second half from inside the box. Duldulao had the assist on Mecham’s second goal.
“Those two (Duldulao and Mecham) are starting to get better chemistry together,” Chong-Hanssen said. “I’m loving those two playing off of each other. We rested (junior forward Austin Galas) today, but he’s been working in there, too — the guy who scored in our last game. He had some shin splints today. But the three of them are working better off each other.”
Kauai (2-6-2 KIF) had a few chances to get on the board late in the second half.
Red Raiders senior forward Rhylen Yadao made a run down the sideline toward goal and took a shot in the penalty area, but his ball went wide of the nearside post.
Minutes later, Kauai was awarded a corner kick. Senior midfielder Branden Costa-Pereira served the ball toward the box, and the ball bounced around in front of goal before Menehune junior goalkeeper Kaimi Lau-San Agustin dove to grab the ball.
“It was a tough game,” said Kauai head coach Martin Steinhaus. “We started really well, then basic mistakes again. That was the downfall of the team. But they had the spirit. Everybody got to play. … This is a program that’s being built. In the future, we’re probably going to have more experienced players. But as it is, I have no complaints. They always try their best.”
Saturday was senior day for Kauai’s varsity boys. Eight Red Raiders were recognized after the match: Costa-Pereira, Yadao, forward Maka Bailey, defender Brodie Noice, forward Tyron Libarios, goalkeeper Kamuela Numazawa, midfielder Brett Reese and defender Michael Dressler.
“Some of them, I’ve coached for a couple of years already since (junior varsity), like Maka Bailey, Michael and Brett,” Steinhaus said. “It’s going to be hard not to have them around. So, (I wish) all the best for them.”
Waimea will next play at Island School at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Kauai High will play Kapaa at 6:45 Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium.
At Vidinha Stadium
Junior varsity girls: Kapaa 2, Kauai 0
Kapaa goal scorers: Taelyn Nunes, Maya Loughead
Junior varsity boys: Waimea 2, Kauai 0
Waimea goal scorers: Shayne Simbre-Medeiros, Wailani Kawaihalau
Varsity girls: Kauai 9, Waimea 1
Kauai goal scorers: Kehela Ventura 3, Judy Ann Edurise 2, Kara Goldstein, Kayla Kawamura, Kyla Bandsma, Cheyann Fujii
Waimea goal scorer: Madilyn Barrett
Varsity boys: Waimea 3, Kauai 0
Waimea goal scorers: Carl Mecham 2, Isaiah Duldulao
Results from the varsity girls and boys matches between Kapaa and Island School were not available by press time
