KEALAKELUA — The Kealakehe Waveriders have been on a roll, and it continued Saturday night with a dominating 6-1 victory over the hosting Konawaena Wildcats at Julian Yates Field.
Kealakehe jumped out to a four goal lead against its crosstown rival in the first half, led by two-time All-BIIF Player of the Year Laukoa Santos. Santos scored two goals in the opening frame and nearly had two more if not for a pair of athletic, diving saves by Konawaena keeper Alan Cancino-Magana.
Santos did score another pair of goals in the second half, netting his hat-trick early in the second frame and his fourth goal with about 10 minutes to play. He has eight goals in his last two games.
“I have just been in the grove I guess,” said Santos, who also played three games in the For Kona From Kona Indoor Soccer Tournament earlier in the day at the Old Airport Park hockey rink. “My midfield is starting to click and we are looking pretty good.”
The game opened in surprising fashion, with the Wildcats pushing the ball up the pitch. Konawaena controlled the early possessions, managing a few attempts on the net, including a corner kick, but they could not get the ball past Waverider keeper Skyler Troy Canario-Pavao.
The tide turned about 10 minutes into the half and three minutes later Kealakehe picked up its first goal off the foot of Eima Kozakai. On a cross to the far side of the box, Kozakai turned his body into the ball, directing it into the net at the near post to give his team a 1-0 advantage.
At the 18 minute mark of the game, Iokepa Perez-Juarez-Aponte scored the second goal for the Waveriders from inside the 18 after camping out in front of the net.
Just over a minute later, Santos scored his first goal, while also showing off his speed and footwork. Santos took off from midfield on a breakaway and quickly outdistanced himself from any defender. The keeper came out to cut the senior off, but Santos passed to himself by popping the ball over Canario-Pavao’s head. After tracking down the ball, Santos kicked it into the open net.
Santos just missed out on two goals over the next 10 minutes, but did find the net five minutes before the break to put Kealakehe up 4-0 at halftime.
Konawaena broke the shutout with a goal around the midway point of the second half. Logan Takizawa took a shot from about 25 yards out, sending the ball on a beeline over the Waverider keeper’s outstretched hand and into the upper, far corner of the net.
With 10 minutes to go, Santos added his final goal off a rebound. Kealakehe’s Cyrus Sobrepena broke free down the left side of the field chasing a through ball. He caught up with it but the Konawaena keeper came out to meet him and blocked the shot with his foot. However, the ball bounced to the center of the pitch, right to Santos, who was about 30 yards out. Santos sent a shot into the left side of the open net to give his team a five goal lead.
“This was a very good team effort,” said Kealakehe head coach Alden Sawada. “We came out with good intensity to start the first and second half and we just have to continue to match that intensity.”
Hawaii Prep 1, Makua Lani
Ka Makani fought back a spirited effort by the Lions at Kealakehe High to remain undefeated.
Jake Schneider scored on as breakaway for HPA (7-0-0) and Stormer Horton kept a clean sheet against Makua Lani (4-3-1).
Ka Makani entered the game with 29 goals but was largely held in check.
“Makua Lani was very organized in the midfield and back,” HPA coach Rich Braithwaite said.
HPA persevered, he said, with the help of strong efforts by Noah Wise and Kama Morrison in the back and Austin Schneider and Toby Balaam at midfield and forward.
Waiakea 2, Honokaa 0
The short-handed Warriors notched two second-half goals to earn a road victory and take over sole possession of first place in the Blue division.
Gehrig Octavio scored on a blast from beyond the box and Michael Scott added a goal on a breakaway.
Waiakea (6-2) was undaunted when it went a man down after a player drew two yellow cards.
“They played better with 10 than when they had 11,” Dragons coach Maurice Miranda said with a laugh.
Ryden Quitoriano recorded the shutout against Honokaa (1-5-2).
Kamehameha 2, Keaau 1
Justin Kenoi and Rylan Respecio scored goals as the visiting Warriors (3-4) bolstered their Division II playoff positioning and sent the Cougars (5-4) to their fourth consecutive loss.
Alex Keely scored for Keaau.
Ka’u 3, Christian Liberty 1
Brennan Nishimura and Kyle Calumpit scored in Pahala and the Trojans (1-5) also took advantage of an own goal to claim their first victory.
Nick Keen tallied a first-half goal for the Canefire (0-5).
Girls
Kamehameha 5, Keaau 0
Hiwa Brown netted two goals on the Cougars field, and Hevani Haunga, Kaila Ambrosia and Kiara Cuyo also scored as the Warriors (7-0-1) kept Keaau winless.
Waiakea 2, Honokaa 0
Ki Serrao and Maluhia Kekuawela found the back of the net as the visiting Warriors evened their record at 3-3-1.
Kaira Chang, Tiani Kow and Nayah Robertson combined on the shutout against the Dragons (3-5).
Hawaii Prep 4, Makua Lani 1
Ka Makani (4-2-1) had four different goal-scorers – Emi Higgins, Tove Fostvedt, Jenna Perry and Sofia Aguilar – to win a match played at Kealakehe.
Katrina Walen netted a goal for the Lions (2-4).
Konawaena 8, Kealakehe 0
Seven different players found the back of the net in Konawaena’s shutout victory over visiting Kealakehe.
The game was a big night for the three seniors members of the Wildcat squad, not just because their team was hosting Senior Night, but also because all three players managed to score in the game.
Keliyah Kimitete led the trio with two goals. The starting forward was the only player to score multiple times in the game.
“Keliyah is a two sport star and has played on several championship teams with us and with volleyball,” said Konawaena head coach Guy Miranda. “Her hard work has continued to pay off through her four years on the team.”
The other two seniors, Haena Keawekane and Casey Fraga-Saldivar, netted one goal each. Keawekane, a forward/midfielder put the Wildcats out front early with the first goal of the game.
“Haena’s dad told me after the game to tell her every game was Senior Night so she would shoot more.” Miranda said laughing. “Haena is one of my captains and she scored on a beautifully ripped ball to get us going.”
Fraga-Saldivar plays in the midfield for the Wildcats but still managed to get in on the scoring action.
“Casey has been with us three years and she has endured all the torture I have put her through and continued to come back,” Miranda said. “She played a hell of a game and just missed an opportunity to have two goals. She has had three years of really hard work.”
