Bears top Sabers 5-0, in the mix for state tournament spot
WAILUKU — It has been five years since the Baldwin High School girls soccer team has been to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I state tournament.
Since the Bears were the Maui Interscholastic League champions in 2017, the two state berths the MIL receives each year have been the exclusive possession of King Kekaulike and Kamehameha Maui.
After a 5-0 win over Maui High on Friday in a make-up of a match postponed last month, the Bears have officially joined the chase for a state berth this season.
Baldwin (5-1-1) is now tied atop the standings with King Kekaulike (5-0-1) with 16 points, while Kamehameha Maui (5-1-0) is one point back. The Bears still have one match against each of their fellow leaders left on the slate.
The Bears tied King Kekaulike 00 on Jan. 26.
“Now that we have lost to Kamehameha and we tied King K — and Kamehameha lost to King K—I feel like now we have a better chance to win, so we’re definitely like pumped up to play against Kamehameha (on Wednesday),” said Mia Rivera, a junior center fullback for the Bears.
Rivera knew it was important to take care of business against the Sabers (2-4-0).
“It’s very important, even against Lahaina and Seabury because we do need those points to be able to have a chance to go to states,” Rivera said.
Rivera assisted on the Bears’ first goal by Shay Okita in the 12th minute. Cammi Kinoshita made it 20 in the 18th minute off an assist from Riza Santiago. Maria Kenagy scored unassisted 10 minutes later, Maddie Nolan scored in the 60th minute off an assist by Kenagy, and Chloe Toma added the final goal in the 67th minute off an assist from Nolan.
Lahela Painter, a sophomore center fullback, said that the Bears are playing well right now.
“I think it’s very important even though you’re not going against, like, tough teams, it’s important to play hard,” Painter said. “I think we got a lot of confidence from tying King K.”
Baldwin coach Dave Mena said his team is playing well right now and knows that the state berths will be decided largely in head-to-head results with Na Alii and Warriors.
“We’ve been trying for the past four years and we’re hopeful to be successful this year,” he said.
Mena said his team has been focused on the task at hand. Playing the Sabers Friday was no different.
“It is a challenge,” he said. “Every game for us is a challenge.”
Maui High coach Ramon Mitra tipped his cap to the Bears.
“They’re very good, well disciplined,” Mitra said, adding that he sees the Bears in the mix for one of the two state berths. “Maui’s got some very strong teams this year.”
■ Robert Collias is at rcollias @mauinews.com