Kaylee Valentino-Fergerstrom’s throw-in made its way to the foot of Starcia Deponte, who got past two Konawaena defenders and scored in the first half. In the second half, Nalani Wall’s would-be tying goal rung the post for Konawaena. Wall later
Kaylee Valentino-Fergerstrom’s throw-in made its way to the foot of Starcia Deponte, who got past two Konawaena defenders and scored in the first half. In the second half, Nalani Wall’s would-be tying goal rung the post for Konawaena. Wall later had a breakaway, but she missed when her shot sailed high.
In a rematch of last season’s BIIF final, Waiakea got the breaks that previously eluded them.
Deponte and Kia Serrao each scored on breakaways on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon at the Warriors’ field, and Waiakea earned a 2-0 season-opening victory against the three-time BIIF Division I champion Wildcats.
“We were lucky that ball bounced our way this time,” Waiakea coach Jason Nakayama said. “We got lucky on that breakaway.”
“It goes 50-50.”
Last February, the Warriors’ cup was half empty. Deponte hit the post in overtime of the league final against the Wildcats, who went on to win in a penalty kicks.
“We can’t take anything for granted and overthink it,” Deponte said. “I thought we were a little hesitant and a little scared, but we picked it up.”
Both teams graduated a slew of seniors, prompting the respective coaches to term this a rebuilding season. However, don’t be surprised if either is still around when the BIIF finals are held in Keaau in February.
After the match, both coaches stressed the need to build chemistry.
“I know one thing, the BIIF crown isn’t won on Dec. 5,” Konawaena coach Guy Miranda said. “We played well enough to win except for finishing.
“I’d did a lot more talking than I usually do because we have a younger team.”
The Warriors carried play in the first half, taking all nine shots, and Konawaena goalkeeper Taiana Tolleson did well to keep it a 1-0 match.
The Wildcats picked up steam in the second half, but after Wall missed on her breakaway, Serrao ran down a ball just before Tolleson could get to it and slid it under her for a 2-0 lead.
Deponte, one of four returning starters for Waiakea and its leading scorer last season, said the 2015 league final wasn’t in the back of her mind.
“We’re just trying to enjoy our season,” she said. “The new (starters) played really good and have stepped it up.”
Wall appeared to have tied it earlier in the second half, but her shot from the middle curled into the left post and bounced to the right through the goal mouth. Kayla Turpin’s putback attempt went wide.
With Tori Teanio patrolling the back line for Waiakea, freshman goalkeeper Nyah Robertson only had to make one save for a shutout.
“Tori is one that we can really rely on back there,” said Nakayama, who was vocal like Miranda in trying to spur on his players.
“Whenever you play Konawaena you have to play them with respect,” he said. “We need to continue to work hard.”
Konawaena lost 12 seniors last season, and Miranda wasn’t surprised he had to rely on two of his seniors Saturday. Tolleson made seven saves, and Miranda praised Alissa Nahale-Blanco for holding together an otherwise inexperienced backline that also included two sophomores and a freshman.
“I know we lost, but we had some good moments,” Miranda said. “I’ve seen improvements but I’m stoked with the younger girls.
“I thought they were more balanced, a little bit older players and a better team.”
