PUHI — The Island School boys soccer team preserved its lead in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation boys soccer standings with a 3-0 win over Kapaa on Wednesday afternoon at the Island School field. “We might be one, or two points
PUHI — The Island School boys soccer team preserved its lead in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation boys soccer standings with a 3-0 win over Kapaa on Wednesday afternoon at the Island School field.
“We might be one, or two points ahead,” said Sean Magoun, Island School coach. “Getting another three points for the win surely helps.”
The Voyagers struck within the first minutes of play when Tai Mitchell outplayed the Kapaa goalkeeper in the 11th minute.
Following defensive exchanges, Alae Miike heralded the break with a second goal at the 40th minute.
“Kapaa is a really good team,” Magoun said. “The boys know that and respect that. They played harder as a team. I really appreciate that.”
Former Kapaa assistant coach Mark Sassone approached the Warriors at the break and spent some time with coach Kevin Cram.
“I thought hearing from someone other than myself would do some good,” Cram said. “Coach Mark is visiting and leaves Wednesday. He was one of my assistant coaches when we won states.”
The intermission conference worked as the Warriors entered the field with renewed vigor, but could not score. The Voyagers capped play on a final goal by Ethan Iha who took a nice cross from Miike for the score.
“Our defense held,” Magoun said. “Our goalkeeper Andres Elzaurdia had some great saves, and our defense held.”
Cram said the goal is to get the players to improve.
“They can,” he said. “They’re able to win games, but always fall short. Everything we work on in practice doesn’t seem to sink in. This is a young team with just three seniors, a handful of juniors, sophomores, and two freshmen. We’re still working on concepts and trying to get the players to understand them and apply the technical side of the game.”
The Voyager men next travel to Hanapepe Stadium to face Waimea on Saturday with the varsity boys starting at noon. The Island School varsity girls play at 10 a.m.
Kapaa will be hosting Kauai High School on Saturday at Vidinha Stadium with the varsity boys taking the field at 3:30 p.m. The JV girls start at 10 a.m. followed by the JV boys at 11:45 a.m., and the varsity girls start at 1:30 p.m.
