The top of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I girls soccer field is packed, but teams won’t have to wait long to see what the competition is like. ADVERTISING The top of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I
The top of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I girls soccer field is packed, but teams won’t have to wait long to see what the competition is like.
It started Saturday afternoon, as Kealakehe downed Hilo 3-2 in the Big Island Interscholastic League opener for both squads at Waverider Stadium.
“We didn’t get a lot of preseason action, so this is a really good start,” said Kealakehe coach Jim Smith.
The Waveriders face defending BIIF Division I champion Konawaena next Friday in its second contest of the season.
For the Vikings (0-1), the loss is the start of a tough opening stretch. Hilo faces Kamehameha-Hawaii, Honokaa — both playoff teams in Division II last season — and Konawaena in its next three games.
“We played well,” said Hilo coach Paul Bello. “This is a tough opener, but we will learn from this result and get better. We will know a lot about out team after the next three games.”
If there is one noticeable difference between the Kealakehe roster between this year and last, it is the abundance of athletes all over the field.
Two of the bigger additions to the Waveriders’ roster are multisport stars Hiilawe Manoi and Nika Paogofie-Buyten. Manoi is a standout linebacker and running back on the Kealakehe JV football team. Paogofie-Buyten was a first-team All-BIIF selection at outside hitter on the volleyball team. Both have backgrounds in rugby, a sport that has a similar pace as soccer, albeit a bit more physical.
Saturday, Manoi had a goal in the second half and Paogofie-Buyten had a solid debut performance as the starting keeper.
“Those two girls are real athletes, so I’m trying to get them into the mix,” said Smith. “If I can put them were they belong and they get on the same page we will be fairly strong.”
Smith is also excited about his midfield combo of Mia Richmond and Lexie Cuaresma — the Waveriders lone first-team All-BIIF selection last season.
“(Mia) played really well today. I would give her the player of the game, in my opinion. It was the first time I put her at inside-mid, and she did very well,” Smith said. “Lexie could be player of the year. She is playing in the middle this year, so she will not be getting as many shots as in the past, but she also will be our main playmaker.”
Kealakehe’s offense got rolling early with a goal from Kiana Fudala, who sprinted down the sideline and got the ‘Riders on the board with a solid strike. It was one of many occasions the speedy senior found her way behind the defense.
The Waveriders continued the offense pace for most of the first half, but Vikings’ goalkeeper Ashley Mendes was game for the test.
Early in the second half, Manoi showed off her athletic ability with a terrific individual effort as she bullied through multiple defenders and put Kealakehe up 2-0.
The two-goal cushion did not last long. Less than 20 seconds later Mehana Sabado-Halpern ended Paogofie-Buyten’s shutout in net.
A scary moment in the 67th minute overshadowed the match. Manoi battled with a Hilo defender, and then the duo ran into Mendes, who was trying to make a save. Mendes got the worst of the collision and was taken away in an ambulance.
“I think it was hard for the girls to start focusing after that,” Bello said. “A lot of the girls were thinking about Ashley.”
After the extended injury timeout, Kealakehe went up 3-1 with a finish from Brianne Akana on a pretty play.
Hilo senior Savannah Toussaint-Adviento scored with less than a minute left on a penalty kick to make it 3-2. However, Bello was still glad to see his girls battle until the final whistle.
“They came back and got that goal. I think that was for Ashley,” said Bello. “We just hope she is OK. That is our main concern right now.”
Hawaii Prep 5, Kamehameha 0: In a rematch of the past three BIIF Division II finals, Gabbie Ewing scored twice in the first 22 minutes as the five-time defending league champion Ka Makani rolled in the opener for both teams in Waimea.
Marlie Mandaguit and Emma Taylor scored in the first half as HPA took a 4-0 lead at the break, and Bri Vallente tacked on a goal in the second half.
Kaui Taylor netted three assists for Ka Makani, and Taimane Kamaka earned the shutout.
Kohala 4, East-Pac 0: Genevieve Boyle recorded all four of her team’s goals as the Cowgirls won at St. Joseph High.
Tanya Adams and Teshna Hart shared goalkeeping duties in the shutout.
Konawaena 7, Keaau 0: Kaulana Ruedy scored twice for the host Wildcats.
Boys
Kohala 5, East-Pac 4: Felipe Ruvalcaba scored four goals and Josiah Adams also found the back of the net as the Cowboys won at St. Joseph High.
Christian Liberty was BIIF Division II runner-up four of the past five season, but the Canefire are playing with St. Joseph as East-Pac for the first time in boys soccer.
Sequoya Kerr posted a hat trick for the Firebirds, and Koa Ceceras added a goal.
Honokaa 9, Ka’u 0: Keaweiwi Pilayo and Juan Pablo Pigott each scored twice, and the Dragons needed 57 minutes to earn a TKO victory in Pahala. Micah Miranda, Kauiki Feliciano, Sean Simmerman, Preston Branco and Andy Connors also scored.
