Kamehameha Maui Schools’ Kaiden Yap and Kakahi Kapuala defend against Baldwin’s Kanata Kuhara in the first half Saturday at War Memorial Stadium. Maui News / Photos by Matthew Thayer
WAILUKU – It was a tough time for the Baldwin High School boys soccer team and the Thompson brothers – senior Subaru and sophomore Tsubasa – were ready for the situation Saturday night at War Memorial Stadium.
The Bears tied with Kamehameha Maui in the final minutes before Subaru Thompson, a midfielder, sent a beautiful pass to midfielder Tsubasa Thompson, in front of the goal.
The younger brother took the pass and hit the game-winner in a 3-2 score for the Bears in their Maui Interscholastic League opener which was also their first game of any kind this season.
The final tally came in the 78th minute of an 80-minute match.
“We had this connection, you know, we saw each other and it was perfect, he called for it — it was perfect, it just lined up.” Subaru Thompson said. “I already knew, automatically, that it was going well. I trusted him and he went into it.”
Baldwin’s Braydon Barbosa heads the ball in the first half in front of Kamehameha Maui’s Preston Lorenzo.
Tsubasa Thompson said, “That was a really good goal, my brother played me a really good ball, yeah, just a really good goal.”
A tough match between two of the best teams in the MIL ended 10 on 10 after players on each team received red cards – and both teams also failed to take penalty kicks.
A Baldwin player was sent off in the 25th minute when a flurry in front of the net led to a penalty kick for the Warriors.
Baldwin goalkeeper Sam Bassey stopped the penalty kick, but Keanu Lanuza tapped in the rebound to tie the game at 1-1 in the 25th minute.
Earlier, Connie Perez Martin put the Bears ahead 1-0 in the third minute.
Kamehameha Maui goalkeeper Kamali Kua blocks a first-half shot from Baldion Vincent Moore. The Warriors won the tough game 3-2.
The Warriors took a 2-1 lead in the 48th minute after Bassey shot the ball from long range. The ball bounced off the crossbar and Kamehameha Maui’s Bryson Cagasan put it into the net.
Kamehameha’s Maui player received his second yellow card of the match – the equivalent of a red card – and was sent off in the 57th minute.
With their newfound equality in the number of players on the pitch, the Bears pressed hard and equalized with Vincent Moore’s goal in the 75th minute from a brilliant pass from Cain Fernandes-Lowe.
After that, Baldwin continued to play as if he were at the back, running for balls that sailed out of bounds to put them back in play, and the offense continued to press forward until the Thompson brothers combined for the winning goal.
“It felt really good because a lot of the other players and all the fans (were emotional) against us, so it was good to score and, yeah, celebrate.” Tsubasa Thompson said. “We’ve played together our whole lives and I asked for the ball. I’m sure he heard me. He knew I was there. He corrected me and it was perfect.”
Baldwin’s Jordan Carbonell heads up a ball in the first half between Kamehameha Maui’s Noah Arcas and Kayden Yap.
Baldwin coach Caniela Palazzotto knows that with the new schedule in MIL Division I soccer — three full rounds of play in a 12-game slate — meant Saturday was just a preview of what was to come.
“The first game was tough, it’s been a long time coming for me, but I think we started well, we scored three minutes into the game, which was a really good goal to build us up, so it was fun.” Palazzotto said. “Then I thought we were kind of controlling the play and then they got one ball in behind and we got a red card.
“The thing we talked about at halftime was perseverance. Like, how many times have you been through this, so we just tried to prepare these guys. They didn’t panic and that was it.”
Kamehameha Maui is 1-1-0 in the MIL standings, including a 4-0 opening win over Lahainaluna, and coach Jason Nakasone knows this was just a preview of things to come.
“Always, always, these (matches) come with a lot of energy, a lot of speed, a lot of power, a lot of passion, for sure.” Nakasone said. “So, always a battle, always a battle.”
Kamehameha Maui’s Caleb Yap Teixeira makes a first-period penalty kick against Baldwin High goalie Sam Pacey on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.
• Kamehameha Maui Girls 2, Baldwin 1: At War Memorial Stadium, the Warriors improved to 3-0-0 with a close win over the Bears. Eli Kapwala scored in the 25th minute, then Mayla Tuitele added the second goal for Kamehameha Maui in the 50th minute.
Baldwin (1-2-0) took a 2-1 lead when Kina Tehada scored in the 75th minute.
In other MIL DI action on Saturday, Maui High defeated Lahainaluna 7-1 in the girls game, while the Sabers and Lunas tied 3-3 in the boys game. No scorers were reported for those matches.
* Robert Collias at rcollias@mauinews.com.
In a thrilling match, the Bears came from behind to score two late goals and secure a victory over the Warriors. The game was filled with tension and excitement as both teams battled fiercely on the field. The Bears’ resilience and determination paid off as they managed to snatch the lead in the closing minutes of the game, leaving the Warriors stunned. This victory was a testament to the Bears’ skill and teamwork, and it has surely left fans and critics alike buzzing with excitement.