Kalaheo goalkeeper Gabby Clark (1) makes a save against Kailua. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Kalaheo goalkeeper Gabby Clark defends against Kailua Kassandra Kossman's (4) attack. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Kalaheo's Sarai Newbold (13) whips the ball past Kailua goalkeeper Amber Franco (1) for a score. Sean Nakamura | SL

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In what was a must-win game of sorts for Kalaheo, Sarai Newbold provided the offense and Gabby Clark delivered in goal, as the Mustangs improved to 3-2 on the season with an 11-5 victory over Kailua at Kalani High School pool.

"Its a big confidence boost," said Clark of the win. "I think now we have more faith in ourselves that we can compete with anybody."

The Mustangs, who have now scored 27 goals in the last two games, needed a win against Kailua in order to keep pace with Roosevelt (4-1), Leilehua (4-2) and Kalani (3-2) in a battle for playoff seeding behind Kapolei (5-0), in Bracket B play.

Newbold got Kalaheo on the board first, notching goal number one with just under two minutes left in the opening period, skipping a shot between the raised arms of Kailua keeper Amber Franco, but Kailua quickly equalized with a goal of their own by Rachel Whelch with less than minute remaining in the first quarter.

The Mustangs moved out to a 3-1 advantage thanks to two more Newbold goals to open the period, but Kalai Wilkinson inched the Surfriders to within a point with a rocket from about twenty feet out at the 2:27 mark.

Then with less than a minute left in the second, Clark lofted the ball well into Kailua territory to Paige Leonard, who passed out to Lily Azouz. Azouz got the ball to Nikki Grimm posted up just feet from the Surfriders goal, and Grimm promptly tucked the ball into the left corner of the goal to push the halftime advantage to 4-2.

Kailua rallied coming out of the intermission, and enjoyed its first advantage in the game at the 4:25 mark of the third, as Ashley Charleton scored her second goal in as many attempts to give the Surfriders a 5-4 edge.

Newbold notched her fourth goal near the 2:30 mark of the third to tie the score, and moments later, a Claire Kemsley steal sparked a two-on-none fast break that resulted in a Paige Leonard goal a 6-5 lead, one that Kalaheo would not relinquish down the stretch.

Kalaheo added 5 goals to the lead in the fourth, as Amanda Bell scored just her second goal of the year and Newbold added four more goals to her tally on the afternoon for a game-high eight.

"I really couldn't have done it without any of my girls," said Newbold of her goal total. "They definitely helped me set up for those (scores)."

While a 6 goal cushion was no doubt welcomed by Clark, she could have thrived on much less, as the Kalaheo keeper was solid in goal, especially in the final period, where she stopped eight shots while allowing none. Her ability to find teammates on the "fast break" was also a particularly valuable weapon.

"My coaches kind of call it sketchy, and it kind of is, but I know I can trust Sarai with the ball." said Clark of her penchant for the long ball pass. "She's my go to."

Clark stopped 16 of the 25 shots on goal by the Surfriders on the afternoon.

Her offensive counterpart Newbold was nearly as efficient on the attack, as 8 of her 16 shots found the back of the goal.

Kailua, who fell to 1-5 on the season, got a pair of goals by Kalai Wilkinson in the loss.

"What I'm really happy about is that their level of play is improving," said Kalaheo head coach Kurt Jackson. "but along with that, yes, we're happy to have this win."