LIHUE — The Red Raider girls are now 5-0 into their 2018 campaign.
Kauai High School’s varsity girls soccer team defeated Kapaa High School, 2-0, Saturday afternoon at Vidinha Stadium.
When asked if the notion of an undefeated season is starting to sink in, Kauai head coach Auika Metcalfe said it is, but the team can’t get ahead of itself.
“It’s in the back of our minds, but at the same time, again, it’s one game at a time,” Metcalfe said. “We can’t always look ahead. As much as we’re improving, other teams are improving as well, and that’s what we want. We want healthy competition. We want to make sure everybody is still moving forward in their team aspect, and we want good games. That’s what we strive to do.”
Kauai (5-0-0 KIF) got its first goal early in the first half when Mia Takekuma scored from inside the 18-yard box.
Kauai High then was awarded a penalty kick at the 56th minute when a Warriors player was charged for handball inside the penalty area. Kehela Ventura took the shot and converted for the team’s second goal.
“Just hard work, persistence, and trying to find those runs,” Metcalfe said. “They were making good runs out through the back line, finding corners and getting those crosses out. Unlucky on certain opportunities, but the effort and the movement is there. So, that’s what we’re looking for, and we got lucky on the two.”
Kauai was awarded another penalty kick in stoppage time when Kapaa goalkeeper Malia Alonzo was charged for tripping a Kauai attacker as she went for the ball.
Eryka Napoleon took the shot, but her ball sailed high.
Kapaa (3-2-0 KIF) had a one-on-one chance during stoppage time. Tavei Duboage took a shot toward goal inside the 18-yard box, but her ball curled wide of the post.
“Actually, we pulled up Tavei because we have some players down. Some of our forward players are either out injured or are away,” said Kapaa head coach Andrea Alfiler. “We did have a couple of opportunities. We just have to execute.”
When Kauai and Kapaa met earlier this month, Kauai defeated Kapaa, 5-0.
Alfiler said there was improvement in a sense with not losing by as much, but a loss is still a loss.
“Again, Kauai High played a good game. They get themselves in a rhythm and are outplaying us at moments,” she said. “But we have yet to really play our game and our style of play against Kauai High. I think our girls are a bit timid and have yet to get into a rhythm versus this team. So, we got to pull up the bootstraps and get to work, dig in and get into our rhythm.”
Kauai will play at Island School (0-5-0 KIF) at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Kapaa will host Waimea (2-3-0 KIF) 7 p.m. Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium.
Island School’s varsity boys team (0-1-2 KIF) will host Kauai (1-1-1 KIF) at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Kapaa (3-0-0 KIF) will host Waimea (0-2-1 KIF) at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium.
Saturday’s results
Varsity boys: Island 1, Waimea 1, tie; goal scorers: Kody Lehano-Tanaka, Waimea; AJ Galiza, Island; discipline: Braden Lumabao, Waimea, yellow (unsporting behavior); Alae Miike, Island, yellow (unsporting behavior)
Varsity boys: Kapaa 2, Kauai 0; goal scorers: Duke Bush, Kapaa; Keanu Brown, Kapaa; discipline: Kaimana Bessert, Kauai, yellow )unsporting behavior)
Varsity girls: Waimea 4, Island 0; goal scorers: Jasmine Semblante, Waimea; Kilihea Kanekoa, Waimea; Luana Gadingan, Waimea; Jazziana Ahuna, Waimea
Varsity girls: Kapaa 2, Kauai 0; goal scorers: Mia Takekuma, Kauai; Kehela Ventura, Kauai
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
