KS-Maui Warriors Sweep Baldwin in MIL Soccer

Kamehameha Schools Maui girls Marley Duncan (right) and Mahina Bantilan (right) plead their case to the referee after Duncan’s goal was disqualified for pulling down the Baldwin goalie (ground). Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

By Rodney S. Yap

The Kamehameha Schools Maui girls and boys soccer teams took advantage of gusting winds to sweep Baldwin 2-0 and 3-1, respectively, Tuesday night at Kanaiaupuni Stadium.

The Warrior girls improved to 3-1-0 in the Maui Interscholastic League standings, while Baldwin dropped to 3-1-0. Kamehameha, Baldwin and Maui High (3-1-0) are all tied atop the girls standings with nine points.

Meanwhile, the Warriors improved to 2-0-0 in the MIL boys standings and Baldwin fell to 1-1-0.

“They got a penalty kick off of us in the first half, but that was pretty much it,” said Kamehameha girls head coach Steven Mau. “That showed that we were strong. The wind was heavy, and we tried to used the clock, we took our time retrieving balls.”

Freshman Quinn Williams scored Kamehameha Maui’s two goals in the first-half and Marley Duncan added another late goal that was not allowed because “the ref said she pulled the goalie’s shirt,” Mau explained.

Kamehameha Schools Maui freshman forward Brennan Joaquin celebrates after scoring the Warriors’ second goal of the game. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

“That was a big win for the girls, because Baldwin is their rivals, but being that this is my first year as the coach I don’t have rivals,” said Mau, who is a graduate of Damien High School and has extensive experience coaching club soccer on Oahu. “I’m not dumb, I see that, but I’m just teaching them my style of soccer and what we want to do is beat everybody with our skill.”

Mau said he has high hopes for his team this year.

“We have a lot of depth . . . I can substitute almost any player and there is no drop off. We have some very talented freshmen. I hate to look toward the future but the girls are talented and it is hard not to.”

In the boys match, Kamehameha used that same winning combination of talented youth and experienced veterans.

Sophomore Micah Alo scored the Warriors first goal in the 15th minute and freshman Brennan Joaquin finished on an assist from Stephen Barut 10 minutes later for the team’s second goal.

Junior midfielder Chandler Alo made the score 3-0 in the 65th minute before the Bears got a breakaway goal from Kailoa Akoi in the 73rd minute of the match.

“We worked on defense a lot this week and communicating with each other and supporting each other,” said senior captain Kainalu Kealoha. “I felt we played good, but there is always room for improvement, we have to pick it more and play the full 80 (minutes), we can’t play 70 minutes.”

Kealoha said the wind “Definitely played a factor in the first half and it was difficult to judge the ball. But the second half it died down and went away all of a sudden.”

Kamehameha boys head coach Kimo Correa praise Baldwin.

“I got to give Baldwin credit, they are the defending champions and they’re a great team. They came to play and I give those kids credit. Our kids gave it their all and that’s all I can ask for . . . we still have a lot to work on.”

Kamehameha Maui’s Colton Cabanas (20) tries to put back a ball originally hit by teammate Chandler Alo off a free kick. Cabanas’ attempt went wide left as teammate Daniel Quenga (7) looks on. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

In regards to the wind, Correa said: “Last year we had a few games like this with the wind and the rain. I wouldn’t say we’re used to it, but fortunately for us we practice in it.

“The key is our guys can handle the ball and are great communicators and passers.

“We’re very fortunate this year we have a bunch of talented freshmen and Brennan is one of them, one of the better freshman on the island, probably in the state. The whole freshmen class, I’am very proud of them. Unfortunately we didn’t get to display all of them.”

Correa also praised his defense.

Kealoha and Colton Cabanas are the wings, while Bryant Kubo is the sweeper in front of goalie Acer Pahukoa.

“Our defensive line is no doubt as tough as nails and we’ve got pretty good size kids, too, who have speed. We got Stephen Barut, Chase Nakagawa, even Taylor Kaaukai and our young freshmen Kaisyn Lee and Ikaika Renaud can come in, too.”