LIHUE — Kapaa High School’s varsity boys soccer team poured on the offense from the opening whistle to the final one Saturday at Vidinha Stadium. On the receiving end of the fast-paced attack was Island School, who fell 6-0 to
LIHUE — Kapaa High School’s varsity boys soccer team poured on the offense from the opening whistle to the final one Saturday at Vidinha Stadium.
On the receiving end of the fast-paced attack was Island School, who fell 6-0 to the Warriors.
From the moment the first whistle blew, the Warriors looked fresher and faster, scoring three goals in each half.
“We’ve been working a lot on combinations and through balls and they’ve put the effort in,” said Kapaa head coach Gary Hudson of his team’s success.
In addition to executing, favorable time of possession helped the Warriors’ cause as they allowed few opportunities for the Voyagers to engage offensively.
“It goes back to working on possession and combination passes,” Hudson said. “Being there for each other, working as a team and knowing where the other guy is going to be without having to look [helped us win].”
On the other side, the Island School squad appeared overwhelmed during most of the game as its defense just could not stop the Warriors’ attack.
“Kapaa is a very athletic team. They are very aggressive to the ball and our guys still have to learn that,” said Island School head coach Sean Magoun. “Kapaa did a great job. They went after it.”
Island School initially started AJ Ort at netminder, but Magoun took him out at the half and Andres Elzaurdia served as goalie the rest of the game.
“Speed kills. When you got the speed that Kapaa has upfront, it’s difficult to defend and do your job,” Magoun said. “They’re very young. They’re still learning the game. I think they’ll take this as a learning opportunity, as (will) all the other guys.”
Daniel Alonzo led Kapaa’s attack as he netted two of the team’s six goals, including a penalty kick.
“Our conditioning was the key,” Alonzo said. “I think we just outran them. They got fatigued really fast.”
In addition to Kapaa’s offense, its defense was also solid as goalkeeper Austyne Carvalho-Toloai earned a clean sheet for the day and did not allow the Voyagers a single goal.
“[Coaches Mark Saassone and Jeff Nelson] work [Carvalho-Toloai] really hard,” Hudson said. “They put him through the grinder and he eats it up. He thrives on that.”
After losing to Mililani last week, Hudson said this win is a “step in the right direction.”
“We’re going to build on the possession, the passes and scoring chances,” he said. “We need to continue working on our defense and staying organized.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the rest of the teams this year and getting on with the KIF. It’s a great start for us.”
Despite the loss, Magoun said his team did not lose because of lack of effort.
“Some of our guys are really green, but we’re bringing them along,” he said. “They never once gave up. We kept pushing. We got some shots in the second half that really should have been on target and probably should have scored.
“They’re here to compete. Every day is a different game and they are here enjoying that competition.”
After playing as goalkeeper during the first half, Ort stayed in the game but was injured during the second half and hopped off the pitch on his own.
“I think he just rolled his ankle,” Magoun said. “We’ll take tomorrow off. Evaluate it on Monday.
“I’m not going to push him and play him if he’s questionable. I have a thin roster as it is. If I have to rest him Wednesday just to get him ready for Saturday, I’ll probably do that.”
Kapaa will next step onto the field again on Wednesday to face Waimea at Hanapepe Stadium.
Island School will also see action on Wednesday as their team will face Kauai at Vidinha Stadium.
Both games are scheduled to start at 5 p.m.
