Warriors kick off 2015 with win
Photo by Kainoa Deguilmo
Brennan Joaquin avoids a defender in last night’s game against Lahainaluna High School. The Warriors trailed in the first half, but won 5-2.
January 8, 2015
The Warriors started off 2015 with a 5-2 win over the Lunas.
Micah Alo scored three times and Brennan Joaquin scored twice. Alo scored twice in the first half and once in the second while Joaquin scored both his in the second half.
The team got off to a rocky start, allowing two goals in the first half.
“For us it was just frustration, that’s what was beating us,” Joaquin said. “We were beating ourselves.”
Amateo Flores scored both goals for the Lunas.
“The boys played hard tonight, and we made simple mistakes that led to points,” said Sam Aki, Lahaina’s head coach.
Lahaina came out firing in the first half, but the Warrior’s took the upper hand in the second.
“Whenever you go down, it’s hard to continue,” Coach Aki said. “I think that’s when the momentum shifted…we just have to continue pressing forward into our next game.”
The Warriors defense provided many turnovers and opportunities.
“We played well defensively tonight,” said Warriors coach Kyle Herendeen, “their [the Lunas’] goals were from our own mistakes.”
Alo and Joaquin put away the game in the second half to help the Warriors win.
“We were frustrated in the first half and playing sloppily but then we just played better. I blame myself a little. There were shots I could’ve made,” Alo said.
Alo spoke to his team during halftime, lifting their spirits.
“I just told them, ‘everyone has to work at their position and we have to want it,’” he said.
Despite early struggles, Alo was happy with the hat trick.
“The whole team was just playing well and they gave them [Alo and Joaquin] the ball in great positions to score,” Coach Herendeen said.
Up next, the Warriors will face Baldwin, whom they barely beat (1-0) earlier in the season, on Tuesday, January 13, at War Memorial Stadium.
“It’s gonna be a tough game,” Coach Herendeen said. “We just have to remember ‘defense first.’ Defense will add up turnovers and create opportunities for us to score.”
Alo said the team learned a good lesson from the game.
“We just have to remember not to take anyone lightly, and to play like a state-winning team.”
