A small, coed roster is the norm for Parker Schools boys soccer, but this season the Bulls are facing even more challenges than usual.
A small, coed roster is the norm for Parker Schools boys soccer, but this season the Bulls are facing even more challenges than usual.
“Did you see that?” asked assistant coach Jared Chapman, alluding to a 17-player roster that includes only three upperclassmen and eight freshmen. “We need some depth on the bench.”
The two sides sat in stark contrast Thursday at Waiakea. The Bulls had a handful of substitutes on the ready, while the Warriors seemingly had an army of reserves available.
As evidenced by its three-match BIIF winning streak to start the season, Parker flourishes when it faces schools its own size. But then there are days such as Thursday when the Bulls are overmatched. Still, the Bulls acquitted themselves well in a 4-0 loss. On Tuesday, the Bulls held their own for a half before losing 5-1 to Honokaa.
“It’s nice to keep the scores balanced,” Chapman said. “We have some defensive presence, which is real big for us. It starts with a strong defense.
“It’s great to see them in this type of environment. They need to be challenged, and they are only going to get better every time they see it.”
Waiakea (5-2-0) took advantage of its superior speed, getting goals from the usual suspects. Michael Scott collected two, and Max Adolf and Gehrig Octavio score one apiece. Scott and Adolf each have eight goals in their past three matches.
The score could have been worse if not for the nifty work turned in by Parker sophomore goalkeeper Ian Bond, who came out of his goal to cut down a hard-charging Adolf early in the second half. Later he veered to his left to turn away a shot by Octavio.
“Sometimes we looked like we were better possessing the ball, but then they would make one run, and it’s hard to stop,” said Chapman, who teaches resource management at Parker.
After absorbing a shutout loss to Kealakehe earlier in the season, the Warriors’ regular season likely will come down to home matches Jan. 26 against Hilo and Feb. 5 against Konawaena. All three would like to avoid the No. 4 seed in the Division I playoffs and the likely prospect of facing the fourth-time defending champion Waveriders in the semifinals.
With schools such as Parker, Kohala, Christian Liberty and Ka’u among the 14 schools participating in boys soccer, the BIIF could almost hold a coed division this season.
As it is, the Bulls (3-2-0) are in prime position to make the six-team Division II playoffs. Last season as the No. 5 seed, Parker tested Honokaa before losing 2-1 in the first round.
“That’s definitely in range for us this season,” Chapman said. “Skyler Pleuss is one of our main goal-scorers, and Owen (Matsuda), Tage (Boyette) and Shen (Mckenzie) can do some scoring as well.”
Of the seven girls listed on the roster, Eve Anderson, Erica Yost and Cloe Parks received playing time against Waiakea. Anderson got behind the defense in the second half, but she was called offsides after sending a header wide of the net.
“They offer great assistance,” Chapman said. “The biggest challenge isn’t being coed. With a lot of first-time players, it’s the skill level and finding the right level of conditioning.
“We have a lot of middle schoolers that are coming up and are more experienced.”