Warriors boys soccer top Nā Ali’i
Photo by Kainoa Deguilmo
Warriors Colton Cabanas, Bryant Kubo and Jake Mateaki have the field covered. The Maui Warriors came out on top in an important game against King Kekaulike, Friday, January 30. At the end of the night the Warriors won the game and a first-place position in the MIL.
January 31, 2015
Boys soccer topped Nā Ali’i, 3-1, trading second for first place in the Maui Interschoslatic League at Kana’iaupuni last night, January 30, 2014.
““This was our toughest match this season. I’m proud of the way we played. It looked like our Baldwin game at first, but we were able to create one opportunity after another,” said Kyle Herendeen, head coach for the Warriors. “We just kept fighting for 80 minutes.”
Nainoa Silva, Brennan Joaquin and Colton Cabanas scored for the Warriors.
The Warriors scored twice in the first half, but King Kekaulike also scored, cutting the lead to one point. The audience held their breath until Nainoa Silva extended the Warrior’s lead with a second half score, the final goal of the evening.
Silva’s goal in the second half, pushed the Warriors to a two-point lead.
“This was teamwork tonight,” Silva said. “I was able to score off a free kick. Chase [Nakagawa] cleared it for me, then Micah [Alo] passed it to me.”
Nā Ali’i came out fast but so did the Warriors.
“We started fast and we had the momentum, but King Kekaulike changed their tactics up. That’s when we recognized and adjusted ourselves. We all calmed down,” Coach Herendeen said.
Nā Aliʻi were in it to win it until the end.
“Our boys played a good game, we played hard, and I don’t think the score reflects the playing tonight,” said Ryan Arakawa, Nā Ali’i head coach.
King Kekaulike proved to be a formidable opponent. They were coming close in the first half when they scored, but the Warriors held them down in the second half.
“We had a slow transition back into the game,” Coach Arakawa said.
Even though the Warriors were ahead, the boys didn’t let down their guard.
“I just told myself ‘just keep going, play harder’,” Silva said. “I didn’t want them to catch up. 2-1 is always a bad lead, because then you tend to feel comfortable even though you’re only up by one. That’s what happened in our first match against King Kekaulike. It’s a momentum shift.”
“They played well. “It’s unfortunate that King Kekaulike was missing Jake Jacobs. He’s one of their main attacking players,” Silva said.
The Warriors have two games left in the regular season — one against Seabury Hall (1-0) on Tuesday and an away game against Lahainaluna (1-0). First place is still in the air. Clinching both games will mean a regular season first place title for the Warriors.
“We need all the fan support we can get,” Coach Herendeen said.
In the meantime, King Kekaulike will need a Warrior loss and two more wins on their side to get back on top.
“We just have to play our game,” Coach Arakawa said, “and we gotta work harder.”
