Canefire fight by Wildcats

By JOE FERRARO

Stephens Media

Nakaiya Kerr scored two goals Friday in Keaau, giving him a league-high 18 as Christian Liberty bounced back from its first loss of the season, beating Konawaena 3-2 in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II boys soccer match.

Kerr, a junior forward, has scored in each of the Canefire’s seven matches this season. Junior forward Louis Moylan tacked on his eighth goal for Christian Liberty (6-1), which moved into a three-way tie for first place with 6-0 Hawaii Prep and 6-0 Honokaa atop the BIIF Division II standings. All three teams have 18 points.

Christian Liberty entered its match coming off a 4-2 loss at defending Division I champion Kealakehe on Dec. 21.

Ivan Rodriguez scored his second goal of the season for Konawaena (4-3), which also benefited from an own goal.

• Hilo 2, Makua Lani 2: Sophomore Aidan Alcos capped the scoring by hammering home his fifth goal of the season in the second half at Old Kona Airport Park.

Dane Miyata had given the Vikings (5-1-1) a 2-1 lead with the second of his two goals.

Pono Ng put the Lions (5-3-1) ahead in the first half by depositing a left-footed shot into the net for his ninth goal of the season.

Makua Lani played without leading scorer Elijah Lingenfelder, who was sidelined with a hand injury.

“It was a tough match,” Hilo coach Buddy Betts said.

Girls

• Hilo 4, Makua Lani 0: Freshman Jasmine Smeraglia scored twice in the second half at Old Kona Airport as the Vikings won their third straight match.

Taylor Pacheco scored on a penalty kick for her fourth goal of the season and Tiana Teanio found the back of the net off an assist from Serena Nasworthy to stake Hilo (4-1-1) to a 2-0 halftime lead.

In the 65th minute, Smeraglia increased the advantage on a direct kick from 20 yards out. In the 72nd minute, she converted on a breakaway.

Edwina DeGrood and Michelle Martinez combined on the shutout of the Lions (2-5), who have lost five of their last six.