Kamehameha Maui Boys Get Hot on Cold Night

Kamehameha Maui’s Chandler Alo scores against Maui High on this goal right before halftime Tuesday at Kanaiaupuni Stadium. KS-Maui Avinash Singh (14) looks on. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

By Rodney S. Yap

As the temperature dropped to the low 60s at Kamehameha Maui’s Kanaiaupuni Stadium Tuesday night, the Warrior boys soccer team got hot.

Kamehameha Maui exploded for four second-half goals to improve to 9-2-1 in the MIL boys Division I standings. The Warriors can clinch a berth to the Outrigger Hotel and Resorts Boys State Soccer Championships, Feb. 6-9, at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park, with a win over Seabury Hall next Tuesday, Jan. 29.

Kamehameha Maui senior Taylor Kaaukai (23) just missed scoring on this attempt midway through the second half Tuesday against Maui High as Saber sweeper Joey Rodrigues tries to rundown Kaaukai. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Maui High fell to 4-6-1. The Sabers suited up only 12 players and avoided a shutout in the 62nd minute with a goal by Komal Kuswar. Saber sweeper Joey Rodrigues put a long ball over the top and Kusar ran it down and one-timed it over the head of Warrior reserve goalie Keola Paredes who came charging at him. The shot was from about 17 yards out.

The Warriors’ honored its five seniors — Kainalu Kealoha, Stephan Barut, Taylor Kaaukai, Devonte Llanes and Acer Pahukoa — on Senior Night. But when it counted, it was the finishing skills of the Warriors’ underclassmen that proved to be the difference.

Junior Chandler Alo lit the fire with a goal right before halftime, 1-0. Alo’s younger brother, Micah used his left foot from the wing to put KS-Maui ahead 2-0.

Junior Daniel Quenga scored the first of his two goals in the 50th minute — off a rebound by Saber goalie Pani Kapisi.

Kamehameha Maui freshman Kona Dancil scored one of four second-half goals for the Warriors Tuesday night against the Maui High Sabers. KS-Maui won 5-1. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Two minutes later, Kapisi laid out to his right to block a scorching free kick by Kealoha from the 30-yard line. But Quenga got to the loose ball before Kapisi could reset himself and flicked it into the goal, 4-0.

Kuswar cut it to 4-1 before Warrior freshman Kona Dancil capped the scoring with 10 seconds left in the match. Avinash Singh assisted on Dancil’s goal.

Despite the goals, Rodrigues was outstanding defensively Tuesday. Without him the outcome would have been a lot more lopsided.

In other boys matches:

LAHAINALUNA 4, BALDWIN 2

At Lahaina, Jonathan Morieda-Dela Paz, Nestor Gomez, Sergio Gallardo and Javier Ramirez scored goals for the Lunas (8-3-2), who eliminated defeated the MIL champion Bears (8-4-0).

Taylor Sato and Derek Hight were credited for scoring goals for Baldwin.

Kamehameha Maui’s Daniel Quenga (7) scores the first of his two goals Tuesday night against Maui High. Saber goalkeeper Pani Kapisi stretches out to try and deflect Quenga’s shot attempt. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.