Hawaii Preparatory Academy took one more step toward reaching the HHSAA Division II championship game for the fifth straight year on Thursday with a dominating 9-0 victory over Waialua at the Waipio Soccer Peninsula on Oahu. ADVERTISING Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Hawaii Preparatory Academy took one more step toward reaching the HHSAA Division II championship game for the fifth straight year on Thursday with a dominating 9-0 victory over Waialua at the Waipio Soccer Peninsula on Oahu.
Kau’i Taylor led the top seeded Ka Makani — the two-time defending champion — with four goals.
“Kau’i set the tone for us early,” said Hawaii Prep coach Steve Perry. “She is a big, strong girl and every day she is getting better and her confidence is growing.”
Hawaii Prep wanted to open quickly against Waialua, and they did just that, scoring four goals over the first eight minutes of the game. Ka Makani showed great team balance to complement Taylor’s four strikes, with goals from five different players.
With a big lead early, Hawaii Prep was able to start subbing players in 10-15 minutes into the game, which will allow the starters to be well rested against a much tougher challenge Friday in Kauai. The Red Raiders defeated Pac-Five 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
“Kauai will be a little more of a fight,” Perry said. “We have played them a bunch at our tournament and at states. They are a physical team with good speed, but I believe the depth of our 11 on the field will help. Hopefully we can get one or two goals on them early and have them chase us.”
Hawaii Prep has won six straight HHSAA quarterfinal matches.
Across the way in the Division II bracket, Kamehameha-Hawaii upset No. 3 Kalaheo 6-1. Kekai Wong-Yuen scored twice, while Bryana Ebbers, Joey Cootey, Kiara Cuyo and Layn Taylor Gleen each found the back of the net once.
Kamehameha-Hawaii will take on Kapaa in the semifinals, setting up an Kauai vs. Big Island Warrior rumble. If Kamehameha Hawaii wins, it would be the first all-BIIF final at the girls state tournament. Hawaii Prep defeated the Warriors 2-1 in the BIIF championship.
Kapaa knocked off BIIF third place squad Makua Lani 2-1 on Thursday. The Lions will face Kalaheo in the consolation bracket Friday.
In Division I, No. 3 Hilo, the lone Big Island team remaining in the championship bracket, fell to Pearl City 3-0. Waiakea lost 2-0 to Moanalua in the consolation play.
