A tweak up top and solid play on the backline helped Honokaa hang tough as it navigates the treacherous part of its schedule.
Coach Maurice Miranda moved Kyle Ohta to striker for Saturday’s BIIF boys soccer match against Waiakea, and the senior had a hand in both of his team’s goals as the Dragons beat Waiakea 2-0 at their field.
“Kyle has the best all-round skills on the team,” Miranda said, “so I told him he was playing forward and he scored a goal for us.”
With Honokaa (8-2-0, 24 points) protecting a 1-0 lead early in the second half, Ohta found the back of net as Kauiki Feliciano dribbled in and garnered an assist with a nifty cross.
Just before halftime, Sean Simmerman collected Ohta’s rebound and put it away for the first goal of the game.
Just as important for the Dragons was their defense, spearheaded by goalkeeper Isaac Aguilar as well as was Zechariah Ugalde, Rylee Yagong and Juan Pablo Pigott. Collectively, they were able to keep the Warriors’ Michael Scott in check.
“You got to have a bus in front of (Scott) to stop him,” Miranda said. “You get on him and he moves away.”
It was an important three points for Honakaa, which remained on the heels of first-place Hawaii Prep and moved seven points ahead of third-place Kamehameha. The top two finishers will earn first-round byes in the playoffs.
Miranda said the Dragons learned their lesson last Wednesday in a 3-0 loss at Hawaii Prep, a match that began a rugged stretch. Honokaa has upcoming tests against Kealakehe and Hilo.
“We started making easier passes,” Miranda said. “I told the boys to play the way you face.”
Waiakea (6-3-0) fell into fourth place in Division I.
Makua Lani 0, Kamehameha 0: The Warriors (5-2-2) haven’t scored in their last three matches after Emmett Alcos shut them out at Paiea Stadium in Keaau.
Kamehameha’s Jameson Sato kept a clean sheet against the Lions (4-3-2).
Kealakehe 9, Christian Liberty 0: Joshua Lopez, Matthew Castro and Jonah Palakiko each scored twice as the visiting Waveriders ran their league unbeaten streak to 58 matches.
Laukoa Santos, Kyle Nickelson and Tate Whitney also scored for Kealakehe (8-0-2), and Greyson Moore and Hunter Steerhuis each had a hand in the shutout of the Canefire (1-7-1).
Hilo 10, Parker 0: Kalei Tolentino-Perry netted a hat trick in Waimea, and Nicholas Carter and River Brown each scored twice to lift the Vikings.
Tyler Thompson and Riley Patterson added scores for Hilo (8-2-0), which also took advantage of an own goal. Ka’aina Lewis was credited with the shutout of the Bulls (3-5-0).
Hawaii Prep 9, Ka’u 0: Justin Perry recorded a hat trick in Pahala as Ka Makani stayed atop Division II.
Zen Simone, Ghar Pautz, Mateo Batol, Austin Schneider, Jake Schneider and Jevon Flippin also found the back of the net for Ka Makani (8-1-1), and Stormer Horton shut out the Trojans (0-9-1).
Konawaena 6, Pahoa 0: Eric Magana scored twice, and the visiting Wildcats (6-3-1) also got goals from Kupaa Fernandez, Kala’i Santiago, Lyndon Calape and Sergio Garcia to move into third place in Division I.
The Daggers fell to 0-8-1.
Girls
Kamehameha 3, Makua Lani 1: Kekai Wong Yuen, Hiwa Brown and Kiara Cuyo each scored at Paiea Stadium as the Warriors (4-3-1) wrapped up the second seed and a home match against the Lions in the BIIF semifinals.
Akari Shimizu scored for Makua Lani (3-4-1).
Konawaena 10, Pahoa 1: Keliyah Kimitete bagged a hat trick, and Nalani Wall and Nanea Wall added two goals apiece for the Wildcats, who have won five in a row.
Taiana Tolleson got a break from playing goalkeeper and scored a goal for Konawaena (6-2-0), as did Kayla Turpin and Melina Ramirez.
Waiakea 1, Honokaa 0: Starcia-Lee DePonte broke a scoreless tie in the second half and the Warriors (6-0-1) and Kaira Chang got a shutout win on the road.
Dragons coach Gerald Shiraki said his team’s defensive plan was working until DePonte broke through in the 58th minute.
Still, it was one of the better efforts of the season for Honokaa (1-5-1).
“The girls were happy with the result,” Shiraki said.
