Kealakehe coach Urs Leuenberger said the smaller field dimensions at Old Kona Airport Park presented a challenge, while Makua Lani’s Aidan Alcos provided an even bigger test.
But beyond that, it was smooth sailing Wednesday for the Waveriders during a 6-2 victory in Big Island Interscholastic Federation boys soccer. Nick Joersz scored twice for Kealakehe (2-0), which jumped out to a 5-1 halftime lead.
“That allowed me to play some of our younger players, and they responded really well,” Leuenberger said. “Makua Lani is young; younger than us.”
The Waveriders welcomed Keoni Yates back into the lineup, and the senior scored on a free kick in the second half. Cappy Alterman and Ariel Lima also had goals. Yates, the BIIF Division I Player of the Year last season, missed Kealakehe’s opener last Saturday to attend a soccer showcase on the mainland.
James Whalen found the back of the net for the Division II Lions (1-1), but Leuenberger was most impressed with the play of Alcos, a junior.
“He was all over the field,” Leuenberger said. “He’s outstanding.”
Kealakehe will step back into Division I play Saturday when it hosts Waiakea at 4 p.m. The girls match follows at 6 p.m.
Kohala 6, Parker 0
A pair of goals from Felipe Ruvalcaba and Ricky Ching led the Cowboys (1-4) past the Bulls (0-5) at home. Billy Skelton and Carlos Rodrigues also added goals. Kahuliau Kaai recorded the shutout in net.
Hilo 0, Kamehameha 0
The host Warriors (2-0-3) played to their third draw of the season in what coach Mario Patino called an “ugly match.”
“Both teams missed on some opportunities,” Patino said. “We need to start generating more scoring.”
Hilo moved to 2-1-1.
Waiakea 3, Ka‘u 0
The Warriors got one goal apiece from Hajime Hayano, Gehrig Octavio and Brennan Yamamoto to win in Pahala.
Goalkeeper Chris Wung had a shutout for Waiakea (3-1). The Trojans fell to 1-4.
Girls
Kealakehe 9, Makua Lani 0
The Waveriders (1-1-1) were led by Brittney Prados and Lexi Cuaresma, who combined to score four goals against host Makua Lani (0-3). Mika Bettencourt tallied three assists in the win.
Hilo 1, Kamehameha 1
Kekai Wong Yuen blasted in a free kick from about 25 yards out with 91 second left at Paiea Field in Keaau as the Warriors (2-2) secured a draw to end a two-game losing streak.
Mehana Sabado-Halpern had given the Vikings (2-1-1) the lead when she scored off a corner kick by Savannah Toussaint-Adviento in the 59th minute.
Waiakea 9, Ka‘u 0
Cheylee Octavio netted her second five-goal game of the season and fellow senior forward Kylie Robertson added two more in Pahala as the Warriors improved to 3-0.
Starcia Deponte and Cierra Toledo-Muragin also scored for Waiakea, while Kaelee Carvalho and Jordan Melchor shared in the shutout against the Trojans (0-4).