Kapa‘a 4, Waimea 0
Kapa‘a High School’s boys soccer team led by a single goal from Chance Bukoski going into the half of yesterday’s season-ending game at the Kapa‘a New Town Park.
One full half — 40 more minutes — stood between the Warriors and another Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation championship.
The Warriors went into yesterday’s game in first place, but needed a win over Waimea to seal the deal.
A loss would’ve put them in a tie with the Red Raiders of Kaua‘i High School.
But the Warriors made sure that didn’t happen as three more players scored to end the game at 4-0.
Bukoski’s goal came after Brad Heiser’s shot was blocked and sent back out to midfield. Bukoski got a touch off it to put the Warriors on the board.
Before the end of the half, Kapa‘a tried to score again off a blind pass from Bukoski to Caleb Sarsona, but Sarsona’s shot soared way over the crossbar, ending the half at 1-0.
In the opening minute of the second half, Kapa‘a extended its lead with a goal from Tyler Cram.
Midway through, a scuffle in the box drew Waimea’s goalkeeper Keonimana Shigematsu off the line, leaving the goal vulnerable to a loose shot.
Kapa‘a’s Preston Keough took that opportunity for the Warriors’ third goal.
Kapa‘a’s final goal came from Dylan James on the right side. James was able to shoot pass the narrow opening between Shigematsu and the goal post to end the game at 4-0.
In the earlier matches, the Kapa‘a’s girls varsity team shut out Waimea 3-0. Like the boys match, the girls were up 1-0 by the half with a goal from Dakota Barnett. The Warriors extended their lead with goals from Nahtice Nield and Tiana Kunioka.
Kapa‘a’s junior varsity girls were up 4-0 at the half and doubled their scoring in the second to beat Waimea 8 -0.
Shannon Paleka, Kyara Bunao, Seri Niimi-Burch, Kaimalie Zirker, J essica Lactaotao, Sierra Mayer, Chrisen Wilson and Zaiana Huddy-Lemm each had a goal apiece.
In the boys junior varsity matchup, the Warriors defeated the Menehune 3-0 with goals from Lowen Gonzales, Joseph Enrique and Florendo Mezchor.
Next up for the varsity squads, both Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i, is the state tournament.
The girls’ tournament starts on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park on O‘ahu.
The boys’ tournament will start Wednesday, Feb. 6., also in Waipio.
