The Rams celebrate after Robert Lundquist's goal in the 38th minute gave Radford a 2-0 lead over host Waialua Friday night in an OIA West match at Toshiyuki Nakasone Field. Brian Bautista | SL

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_23010723_RadfordCPBB3-60127.jpg - Brian Bautista | SL

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First half goals by Brandon Euceda and Robert Lundquist powered visiting Radford to a 2-1 win over Waialua at Toshiyuki Nakasone Field Friday night.

Keeper Christian Finley also made a pair of athletic saves in the second half to help the Rams pick up their third straight win to improve to 5-3-1 in the standings.

Zekiel Balmoja scored on a breakaway in the 60th minute to avoid the shutout for the Bulldogs, who dropped to 4-5.

Euceda scored his second goal of the season in the 27th minute to give Radford the early lead. A throw-in near midfield set up the possession as the Rams got a good cross from the right flank. Midfielder Tarek Adams was in front of the goal area with two defenders around him before Euceda finished the play with a shot towards the back corner of the net.

"It was good serve from the flank," said Radford coach Geoff Maeda. "I've been talking to them about possessing the ball, isolating defenders and getting a serve-in to us. The ball bounced around a little bit, we got lucky, but at least we finished."

The Rams' second goal was more about skill rather than luck.

Radford moved the ball from the corner down the sideline quickly before sending it into the heart of the Waialua side of the pitch to set up Lundquist's goal in the 38th minute, his fourth of the season.

"That's what we work on is moving the ball with speed," said Maeda. "If we move the ball with speed and we keep the flow of the game going, we get in (the goal)."

Although the end result was in his team's favor, Maeda acknowledged that his team still has work to do. The Rams had trouble possessing the ball in the first 20 minutes and turned it over on a goal kick in the eighth minute. They also allowed a breakaway goal when the Bulldogs ran a counter after a save.

Finley did his part in goal to prevent Waialua from tacking on more goals during set pieces. On a free kick from 45 yards out in the 51st minute, he made a jumping save right below the cross bar. Finley was also clutch in the 79th minute when he stopped a free kick from the right side of the field that went around traffic.

Not bad for someone that almost didn't make the team.

"He's a first-time player, athletic though so that's why we kept him," said Maeda.

"That's a funny story because when he was doing the tryouts — he knows a couple of guys on the team — so when we did the tryouts, I told his friends if he wants to make this team, he has to be our backup keeper or else he's not making this team. So he said ‘OK, I'll do it,' and ended up now he's our starter."

Both squads wrap league play with road games next Tuesday. Radford travels to Waipahu while Waialua takes on Pearl City.