Baldwin Girls Roll Over King Kekaulike, 5-1

Baldwin’s Pele Buika (9) scores on this shot in the 8th minute against King Kekaulike in MIL girls soccer action Wednesday at War Memorial Stadium. King Kekaulike’s Tyler Corpuz (18) defends on the play. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

By Rodney S. Yap

The Baldwin High School girls soccer team re-established itself atop the Maui Interscholastic League standings Wednesday with a dominating 5-1 victory over previously unbeaten King Kekaulike.

A War Memorial Stadium crowd of about 150 watched the Lady Bears improve to 6-1-0 (18 points) in the MIL Division I standings, five points ahead of Maui High and King Kekaulike — tied for second place at 4-1-0 (12 points).

“I would say that was probably one of the better games we’ve had all season,” said Baldwin first-year head coach Tia Medeiros. “I was pleased with the way the girls came out strong. We knew King K was going to be tough and we needed to come out strong like we did. It was good to see our girls actually finish off some goals tonight, because that’s been kind of a big problem of ours.”

The Bears were not lacking confidence offensively, having outscored Hana 17-1 en route to a pair of lopsided wins last weekend.

Baldwin’s dynamic midfielder Pele Buika opened the scoring in the 8th minute as the Bears controlled possession for 90% of the first half.

“Baldwin played a terrific game, my hat’s off to them,” said King Kekaulike head coach Gundi Dancil. “Coach Tia got her team ready to play. Our game plan was to try and win most of the 50-50 balls, which we felt was important to do in this game. . . . But we came out a little flat I thought and we allowed them to gain that 50-50 possession.”

Baldwin’s Tara Tesoro made it 2-0 with a goal in the 43rd minute. Mia Gaddis added a goal at the 52-minute mark, before Kekaulike’s junior captain Kayela Santiago cut the Bears’ lead to 3-1 with a goal in the 59th minute.

Baldwin’s Shayna Yoshida added a goal in the 70th minute and Christine Kenagy capped the scoring two minutes later.

“To get back on track we needed this win,” said Medeiros, who likes the way her team is progressing over the Christmas vacation. “It seems to be working out for them, because they don’t have to worry about going to school.

King Kekaulike’s Jake Jacobs (11) tries to score on a breakaway as three Baldwin defenders move in, including Isai Barboza (17) during first-half action Wednesday at War Memorial Stadium. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

“It’s been more fun for them I think, less stress, and they’ve been able to just concentrate on soccer. After tonight’s game I like where we’re at, let’s see if we can do the same thing on Saturday against Maui High.”

The Bears face the Sabers next on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium, beginning at 5 p.m.

In MIL boys soccer on Wednesday:

KING KEKAULIKE 1, BALDWIN 0

Kekaulike’s Lionel Mills scored the only goal about 10 minutes into the match off a free kick just outside the box. Mills targeted the bottom corner and made it.

“We made some chances in the second half . . . cleared some balls off the line and a couple hit the post,” said Baldwin head coach Kane Palazzato. “But we are not finishing. We have to learn to finish games.”

King Kekaulike improved to 3-0-1 in the MIL Division I boys standings, while Baldwin fell to 3-2.

On Tuesday, Kamehameha Schools Maui (3-1-0) handed Lahainaluna (5-1-1) its first loss of the season, 2-1. Kainalu Kealoha scored the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute from 45 yards out.

Kamehameha was a player down after a red card 20 minutes into the match.

Lahainaluna’s Rhys Lendio opened the scoring in the 15th minute and the Warriors’ Chandler Alo tied the match at 1-1 with a goal in the 29th minute.