The varsity boys soccer team beat Baldwin 1-0 for their first win under new head coach Kyle Herendeen last night at Kanaʻiaupuni Stadium.

The Warriorsʻ Colton Cabanas scored the only goal of the night 15 minutes into the second half. From amid a flurry of legs right in front of the goal, Brennan Joaquin passed the ball of to Cabanas who managed to drive it straight into the net.

The game was played at a high intensity all night with lots of hustle from both teams.

“It was a gutsy performance, but we grinded it out,” said Coach Herendeen. “We kept it closer than we could’ve, but Baldwin is very well coached. Overall, I’m happy about tonight.”

With the new season starting, there were many positives that came along with the Warriors’ win.

“There were some really beautiful combination plays tonight,” Coach Herendeen said. “They played some nice soccer.”

The two teams had battled it out for third place at the Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Asosciation state championship earlier this year, but many of the Bears were seniors and have since graduated, and Kamehameha has since gotten a new coach, replacing coach Kimo Correa from last year.

Baldwin still has some veteran players, but for the most part, the team is young and getting experience.

“We played well, we just have a young team this year,” Baldwin head coach Kane Palazzotto said. “We made young mistakes out there. But we played well in the first half.”

During the course of the game both teams had difficulty moving the ball in each other’s territory.

“Tonight there was good defense out on the field. But from here on we just have to bounce back.” Coach Palazzotto said.

Being the first game this season, and against the final team they faced last year, tonight’s win was huge. The boys played at their best, controlling the ball and keeping fouls to a minimum.

Junior goalkeeper Keola Paredes had a great game, holding Baldwin back and keeping them from scoring.

“He did great, he made some great saves, and the game would’ve been a lot different without him,” Coach Herendeen said.

One of his saves nearly cost him an injury.

“That time someone hit me in the back while I was going up to save it [the ball],” Paredes said, “but I was able to catch it and that’s the important thing.”

Now, the Warriors go back to preparing for their next game. The Warriors will face Seabury Hall at Seabury.

“This was our first game, but we also have time to work on getting better and better. To perform well, we just have to train extra hard and work on our composure into practice and games,” Paredes said.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Photo by Kainoa Deguilmo

Colton Cabanas heads the ball in Baldwin territory.