KAILUA-KONA — The Kealakehe boys struggled to find their footing on their home pitch Wednesday night, as a heavy dew settled on the field, caused by the cold night with the winter season just two days away.
However, the Waveriders had no problem finding a grip on the game as they dispatched Makua Lani 2-0.
Kealakehe (3-1-1) picked up an early goal from senior Teddy Rubenstein in a dominant first half that saw the Waveriders control most of the possession on the way to victory over the previously undefeated Lions.
The only thing that kept Makua Lani (6-1) in the game was the play of Emmett Alcos, who make save after save in relief duty of junior Dominic Perrino, who was out after having his wisdom teeth removed.
Perrino tried to make a go of it before the game, but coach Alex Dong decided to go with the safe call in Alcos.
“Emmett is no joke,” Dong said. “In my opinion, Emmett has to be in the top two keepers I have seen at his age, not just on the island, but anywhere. It is insane that he is one of the best centerbacks, but his keeping is out of this world.”
On the other side of the ball, Rubenstein continued to cause match-up problems for the Lions, even after his goal.
“Teddy was just smashing through people,” Dong said. “We wanted to take advantage of the middle-third of the field, but Teddy just dominated.”
Rubenstein’s goal came in the 10th minute of the game, and the score would stay 1-0 until the 74th minute.
“If I can remember correctly, I think it was Eima (Kozakai) who played me in, and then the keeper came out and I did a little touch around him,” Rubenstein said. “I got lucky — it was a wide open goal.”
Despite playing on defense for nearly the entire 40 minute half, Makua Lani had a chance to tie the game in the 35th minute as junior Stevan Perrino darted inside the 18. However, sophomore keeper Zach Aderinto managed to stay in front of the Lions’ player to make a deflection.
The game was a little more back-and-forth in the second half, but Kealakehe nearly made it a two-goal game in the 44th and 48th minute. On the first attempt, freshman Kaisei Kelly made a break for the goal and sent in a shot off the outside of his foot, but the ball hit the right post and bounced safely back into play.
Four minutes later, sophomore Alex Bell got in a 1-on-1 with Alcos, but the keeper was able to make a sliding block.
Makua Lani had its best chance to score in the 66th minute when the ball came free inside the Kealakehe box for several seconds, producing three to four scoring opportunities. However, each try was deflected before Aderinto leaped up to grap the ball and stop the action.
Alcos then made several leaping, one-handed saves to knock the ball over the crossbar as time was winding down.
Makua Lani’s Timothy Catanzaro made an incredible save inside the 15 minute mark. Kealakehe’s Kozakai broke away from the pack and entered the box with the ball and no one in front of him. However, Catanzaro came flying in out of no where and made a slide from behind to knock the ball away.
However, the sheer number of shots coming in became too much with six minutes to go, and Bell managing to slip a shot by Alcos in the 74th minute to put the Waveriders up by two.
“Constant pressure, hard work, and relentlessness led to the two goals and they were well deserved,” said Kealakehe head coach Hayato Fukumitsu. “We played correct soccer today and that is what we are trying to do.”
Also helping lead the Waveriders to victory was the play of sophomore midfielder Taiyo Thom.
“He was just excellent today. He did everything we asked him,” Fukumitsu said. “He was consistent and I am very proud of him.”
The Waveriders now have a long break before they play again, with their next game coming at home against Honokaa on Dec. 29. Makua Lani will look to get back into the win column on Saturday as they host Keaau before going on a short holiday break.
KOHALA 4, KEAAU 0
The Cowboys defeated Keaau on the road with Julian Parks finding the net all four times.
“Julian has been playing great tactics and finding the right moments to use his attacking and striking ability,” said head coach Daniel Perez. “He isn’t our only goal scorer, but played his role well within the team tactic of the game.”
Picking up assists on the goals were Keola DeWitt, Alika Viernes and Iris Cedillos.
Kamani Provencal earned the shutout in the goal.
Girls
MAKUA LANI 3, KEALAKEHE 0
Ilinahe Beatty scored two goals as the Lady Lions pushed past Kealakehe on Wednesday at Waverider Stadium.
“The girls really stepped up and have been working hard,” said first year head coach Taylor Easley. “The defensive line really allowed the pressure to move forward and then we had some great strikes.”
Makua Lani had five shots on goal, with three finding the back of the net.
The Lions also had notable play from Monilaite Moniati and Mara Duarte at center-back.
Moniati added the second golf of the game late in the first half off a free kick. From 40 yards out, Moniati drilled a shot that glanced the crossbar before finding the net.
HPA 12, KA‘U 0
Both Catie Moynahan and Angela Cipriano recorded hat tricks in Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s victory over Ka‘u on Wednesday. Bella Police and Kehele Walsh added two goals each. Jenna Perry and Malia Brost added a goal a piece to wrap up the scoring.
Regan Riley recorded the shutout in the net for Ka Makani.