Even as the final seconds ticked off the clock, Kealakehe coach Urs Leuenberger could be heard above the rest of the noise at Waverider Stadium urging his players to continue playing tough against rival Konawaena.
Even as the final seconds ticked off the clock, Kealakehe coach Urs Leuenberger could be heard above the rest of the noise at Waverider Stadium urging his players to continue playing tough against rival Konawaena.
“Fight for it. Challenge them,” Leuenberger urged his defending Big Island Interscholastic Federation squad.
Despite dominating possession and shots, the Waveriders (2-0) needed a late goal from Tate Whitney to beat the visiting Wildcats 2-1.
“It was close and it shows we are not there yet,” Leuenberger said. “We definitely know what we have to work on. Pulling out a victory while not being perfect is a good result early in the season.”
As for the aggressiveness, the veteran coach said it’s going down in his notebook of things to work on in practice.
“We have a young team,” Leuenberger said. “There are only three seniors, so sometimes the underclassmen are not there yet in terms of aggressiveness and getting to the ball.”
Leuenberger also said his side was a little surprised by Konawaena (1-1) coming out in a similar formation to Kealakehe’s and commended the coach on the other sideline.
“They came out in a 4-4-2 the way we do and they didn’t sit back. They wanted to beat us,” Leuenberger said. “It was a great strategy by (Konawaena) coach Keahi Flemming. He has done a fantastic job with that team, getting the boys rallied up and playing a controlled game.”
What was not a surprise was the way Kealakehe dominated possession and shots on goal. The Waveriders had at least a 70-to-30 possession advantage and severely outshot the Wildcats.
The Waveriders’ offensive pressure started early, but the team didn’t manage to break through until the 23rd minute with a goal from defender Ari Mench.
Mench was an All-BIIF selection at kicker for the Kealakehe football team this season, but made an impact Friday night with his head. On a corner kick, Mench — who has a few inches on much of the field — jumped above the Konawaena defenders and put the ball in the back of the net with a solid header.
The second half was more of the same for Kealakehe, pressuring and connecting on passes but not being able to change its number on the scoreboard.
Michael Gusman put the Wildcats on the board in the 59th minute on a bouncing ball that Kealakehe goaltender Greyson Moore underestimated.
As time ticked down, the urgency grew for Kealakehe, and Laukoa Santos relieved the pressure, delivering a beautiful ball to Tate Whitney in front of the net. Whitney easily netted the goal to give the Waveriders the win.
Kealakehe continues its season Wednesday against Makua Lani on the road, and Konawaena hosts Honokaa on Tuesday.