PAHOA – Like many residents across the state, Jeri Canniff’s wake-up call Saturday morning came courtesy of false missile warning alert blasted to her cellphone.
Then her phone really started to get lit up with texts.
“Coach, are we playing today?”
Yes, it was game on for Kohala’s boys soccer team, which made the long trip from Kapaau to Pahoa District Park, played an engaging 80 minutes on the pitch, then departed with a 3-0 victory against the Daggers, continuing what can only be seen as a successful season by Cowboys standards.
“We’re coming along,” Canniff said after her team bolstered its playoff positioning in BIIF Division II. “Definitely improved over last year. More experience. The freshman are now sophomores.”
Senior Braddah Arraujo netted two goals for Kohala (4-2-1), Cristian Cedillos put home a penalty kick and Kamani Provencal collected the shutout against the Daggers (0-7-1) in a matchup of teams in the lower-tiered Blue Division.
“Braddah is one of our key players,” Canniff said.
“They definitely get a little more hope (against Blue teams),” she said. “They are a lot more positive.”
Both teams have fielded girls and boys team in the past but are coed this season, especially Pahoa, which shuffled a number of girls players in and out of the match.
Of the four girls on Kohala’s team, Canniff’s daughter, Miranda, is a regular.
The soccer scene in Kapaau?
Well, American Youth Soccer Association is a help, but the few Kohala players that participate in clubs have to travel to Kona to do so.
“I’ve known most of these players since they were younger,” Canniff said. “They are a lot closer than they were.
“They are starting to control the tempo. Thinking of advanced level soccer more than bootball.”
Hawaii Prep 4, Waiakea 0: Jake Schneider notched a goal and an assist in Waimea, and Sihkea Jim, Chris Whitfield and Mateo Batol each scored as Ka Makani (8-0 Red) remained the league’s only unbeaten and clinched the top seed in the Division I playoffs.
Stormer Horton and Zane Willman shared in the shutout of the Warriors (4-3-1 Red).
Honokaa 2, Konawaena 1: Isaac Aguilar scored the go-ahead goal with about five minutes remaining to lift the Dragons to a victory on their home field.
Yo Bostwick tied the game for Honokaa (3-4 White) earlier in the second half after Logan Ichishita gave the Wildcats (4-1-2 Blue) the lead on a penalty kick.
Girls
Hilo 1, Kealakehe 0: Kalamanamana Harman headed in Hollie Saplan’s corner kick with five minutes remaining to boost the Vikings (8-1-1) to victory in Kailua-Kona.
Saydee Bacdad collected her eighth shutout of the season against the Waveriders (4-5).