Kealakehe’s men’s football opens season with 9-0 win over Konawaena

KEALAKEKUA – The BIIF men’s soccer season is officially on.

For Kealakehe, the season has started with a bang; the Waveriders traveled to Konawaena on Monday afternoon and came away with a resounding 9-0 victory over the Wildcats.

The Waveriders were led offensively by Mathew Enriquez – who had a hat trick – and Micah Carson, who scored two first-half goals before leaving the field with an injury. Kealakehe head coach Hayato Fukumitsu was just happy that his team were finally able to step onto the pitch and compete again, almost two years after their last competition in January 2020.

“I’m glad they are having their moment again,” Fukumitsu said. “I’m glad they can come out on the pitch, do what they love to do… They can finally show their skills. This is what I am most happy about.

The majority of the game was played in Konawaena’s half of the field, as the Waveriders dominated the battle for possession. Kealakehe goalkeeper Duke Becker had a quiet day with no saves in the shutout victory.

Other players who found the back of the net for Kealakehe were two-time Elyjah Condon, Marcos Garcia-Creus and Kaiser Kelly. Waverider’s offense kept the pressure on all afternoon, ensuring Konawaena goalkeeper Timothy Huerta rarely had a moment to relax.

“Their urgency, the pace, the hunger, the desire; it’s there, ”Fukumitsu said when asked what impressed him the most. “Really wanting it is something I enjoyed. “

Although happy with Monday’s result, Fukumitsu was quick to recognize that his team still had plenty of room to improve.

“The job is not done; we have a lot of games ahead of us, ”he said. “We were close a few years ago and we are hungry. “

Kealakehe (1-0) and Konawaena (0-1) will be in action again on Thursday; the Waveriders will host Hilo, while Konawaena will travel to Makua Lani.

Kealakehe 4 5 – 9

Konawaena 0 0 – 0

First half

Kealakehe – Carson Goal, 9:17

Kealakehe – Enriquez goal, 17:23

Kealakehe – Carson Goal, 24:15

Kealakehe – But Garcia-Creus, 34:20

Second part

Kealakehe – Goal of Condon, 52:32

Kealakehe – Kelly’s Goal, 55:55

Kealakehe – Enriquez Goal, 60:53

Kealakehe – Enriquez Goal, 66:04

Kealakehe – Goal of Condon, 68:53