Freshmen made up approximately half of Hilo’s roster for its BIIF opener Tuesday at Kamehameha.
The ninth-graders didn’t merely contribute. They took over.
Goalkeeper Saydee Bacdad made 10 saves in a sterling debut, and Jordyn Pacheco scored early in the second half in her first match to lift the Vikings to a 1-0 victory at Paiea Stadium in Keaau.
Interim coach Skee Saplan stressed upperclassmen leadership as a key during the preseason. On Tuesday, he said the freshmen spoke for themselves by making an impact against a quality opponent.
“Saydee was excellent,” Saplan said. “She made a lot of quality saves. Game-saving saves.”
Possession, he said, was even between the two teams in a back-and-forth match, but according to Hilo’s statistics, the Warriors held a large advantage in shots. Kamehameha put 11 balls on frame, one of which was blocked by a defender.
Hilo, meanwhile, managed just two shots on goal.
The eventual game-winner came in the 48th minute. Freshman Hollie Saplan’s direct kick found the foot of Pacheco, who broke toward the goal unmarked and scored from 15 yards out
“We were really happy with the lineup we had,” Skee Saplan said. “We had a mix of classes in the match.”
He credited fullbacks Lacey Shiigi, a sophomore, and Kalamanamana Harman, a freshman, will helping to keep a talented Warriors squad in check.
“They were fast and have a lot of technical players and experience,” Saplan said. “We just played with a lot of determination.”
Hilo gets another test Saturday when it visits two-time defending HHSAA Division II champion Hawaii Prep.
Boys
Konawaena 9, Kohala 9: Sergio Garcia recorded a hat trick in Kealakekua and Kupaa Fernandez added two goals for the Wildcats in the season-opener for both teams.
Erikc Marban-Sanchez, Logan Ichishita, Orlan Hernandez and Mahina Ellis-Noa added a goal apiece, and Anthony Ward earned the shutout against the Cowboys.
