If there were any Hilo High sophomores who had designs on an undefeated BIIF soccer career, they were welcomed to the real world last Monday in a loss, their first in league play, at Kamehameha. ADVERTISING If there were any
If there were any Hilo High sophomores who had designs on an undefeated BIIF soccer career, they were welcomed to the real world last Monday in a loss, their first in league play, at Kamehameha.
Coach Skee Saplan called the setback the best thing that could have happened to his girls because the reality check made them refocus.
A group that’s not used to losing rebounded Saturday and remembered that winning never gets old, especially against Waiakea. The Vikings were first to the ball, holding the majority of possession and clogging the midfield defensively, taking it to their rival in a 3-1 victory at Hilo Bayfront.
Last season, Hilo rode a strong freshman class to its first BIIF title since 2011, going undefeated in league play with the motto “Never be satisfied.”
But, sophomore Hollie Saplan said, “We kept on winning and kind of were satisfied. We kind of took it for granted.”
“The loss made us wake up and realize we need to work hard in practice,” she said.
Skee Saplan said Hilo (2-1) responded with three strong practices leading up to the match, and the Warriors probably ran into the determined Vikings at a bad time.
Sophomore Miya Clarke retouched Saplan’s direct kick for a goal in the sixth minute, senior Lauree Anne DeMattos tacked on a goal midway through the first half and sophomore Jordyn Pacheco made it 3-0 in the second half as Hilo enjoyed an overwhelming advantage in shots (25-7) and prime-scoring chances.
“When you’re trying to protect that undefeated-on-the-island thing, you get complacent,” Skee Saplan said. “The work ethic wasn’t that high, maybe, the first two weeks. I hope we got it back.”
A step slow to get to the ball against Kamehameha earlier in the week, Hilo made it a point to be quicker against Waiakea.
Waiakea coach Jason Nakayama said the Vikings’ crisper play was the difference in the match.
“Our girls played well, but they were stepping to the ball a little faster than us,” he said. “We definitely have it in us, we just have to get it out.”
Freshman Xailynn Moke-Lyman kept Waiakea from getting shutout, connecting off a cross from Ki Serrao late in the match.
Serrao, a junior striker who collected hat tricks in the first two BIIF matches this season, found little room to roam against Hilo. In one of her rare chances to turn and run with the ball in the first half, she was quickly greeted by two Vikings.
“We came out firing and wanted to put as much pressure on the ball as possible,” Skee Saplan said.
Hollie Saplan took corner kicks and direct kicks for Hilo and she was busy Saturday, giving the Vikings myriad opportunities in close to score off her foot.
Clarke did so, but the other two goals came on longer kicks. DeMattos scored from 30 yards out off an assist from Evyn-Bree Helekahi-Kaiwi and Pacheco’s goal came from 25 yards out after she collected a pass from sophomore Haley Miyasato.
The rematch is Jan. 3 at Waiakea.
“All streaks come to an end and, ” Hollie Saplan said, “you have to work hard to keep going.”
Kamehameha 4, Hawaii Prep 1
Hevani Haunga scored four times in Waimea, leading a breakthrough victory for the Warriors.
Kamehameha (3-0) finally got the better of HPA (2-2), which has won the last seven BIIF Division II titles, relegating the Warriors to runners-up the past five seasons.
Teah Van Bergen finished with a goal for Ka Makani.
Honokaa 1, Kealakehe 0
Alaynia Preston-Kauhola scored the only goal of the match off a direct kick as the host Dragons (2-1) beat Kealakehe for the second time in Blue division play.
Terri Connors took the set piece, and Ana Hosek was credited with an assist.
Evangelyn Durante held off a bevy of chances from the Waveriders (0-3) to get the shutout.
Boys
Hawaii Prep 3, Kamehameha 1
Jake Schneider scored two goals and assisted one the other and Ghar Pautz tallied a goal and an assist in Waimea as the HPA rolled to a 4-0 start.
The Warriors (0-2) scored on an own goal.
Waiakea 9, Pahoa 0
The Warriors finally got their season underway, getting a hat trick from Michael Scott and a goal apiece from Isaac Pau’ole, John Grover, Sean Icari, Max Adolf, Gehrig Octavio and Isaac Sumera.
Ryden Quitoriano and Ka’iolana Kon combined to shut out the Daggers (0-3).
Keaau 8, Christian Liberty 1
Daniel Vierra and Jake Cambia scored two goals apiece at the Cougars’ field, and Alex Keely, Rico Handy, Christian Mamone and AJ Antonio also found the back of the net as Keaau remained unbeaten (5-0).
Makua Lani 3, Ka’u 0
The Lions won in Pahala to improve to 3-0.
Kealakehe at Honokaa, postponed
Midway through a scoreless first half in Honokaa, play was stopped because of unplayable field conditions.
The match will be replayed in its entirety.
