KAILUA-KONA — There’s no slowing down the Wildcats right now.
Konawaena (3-1) avoided a let-down game against Kealakehe Wednesday night, dominating the Waveriders in a matchup of BIIF Division I west side rivals.
Just four days after scoring a major comeback victory over perennial Big Island powerhouse Hawaii Preparatory Academy, the Wildcats showed no signs of letting off the gas on route to another win.
After dropping their season opener to Hilo 4-1, Konawaena has won four in a row, outscoring opponents 17-2.
“We have been working super hard at practice,” said Konawaena head coach Kaua Wall. “We play every game as a family and we are taking it one day at a time and one game at a time.”
The Wildcats were led to victory by the Hanks sisters, Jaydn and Caiya, who scored two goals each.
“They really stepped their game up,” Wall said. “Jaydn, the older one, is so fast, and Caiya, every time she touches the ball is electric.”
Konawaena jumped out to a two goal lead within the first 12 minutes of the first half behind a pair of scores by Jadyn Hanks.
The quick-striking junior forward pulled away from Kealakehe’s defenders on both scores, opening up a 1-on-1 opportunity with the Waverider keeper before putting the ball into the far corner of the net.
Jaydn Hanks credited her dad for some sound advice that led to the goals.
“He was telling me to hold my runs because I was going too early and getting called offsides,” Jaydn Hanks said. “This time I held and I was able to score with the help of my teammates.”
Senior Nanea Wall gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead at the 20 minute mark with a laser shot from the corner of the pitch.
Konawaena came out after the break and received two more goals late from Caiya Hanks. The first goal came off a richochett off a defender, which Caiya Hanks was able to tap by the keeper.
The second goal came from roughly 30 yards out. The freshman decided to take her chance and and the ball slipped in, under the Kealakehe keeper.
The win was the fourth in a row for the Wildcats.
“Four wins in a row feels good and it lets us know we are on a good path,” Caiya Hanks said. “In every new game we just start over and work as hard as we can.”
Konawaena junior goalkeeper Kyanah Blas recorded the shutout, making a pair of tough saves late in the second half, including one as time expired on a last ditch effort by Kealakehe.
Konawaena will be back in action on Saturday when they will host Makua Lani at 5 p.m. Kealakehe will host Hilo at 3 p.m.
