Waiakea’s boys soccer team played the second half with conflicted feelings.
On one hand, the Warriors wanted the go-ahead goal. On the other, all they needed to do was hold on.
In the end, conflict ended in resolution for Waiakea, which got the draw – 1-1 against Hilo on Saturday at soggy Hilo Bayfront – it needed to hold the tiebreaker edge against the Vikings in the BIIF Division I playoffs.
“I’m not happy,” Warriors coach David Urakami said, “I thought we could have gotten a goal, but, of course, Hilo could say the same thing.”
That said, he was happy in one sense – his goal all along was for the Warriors (4-3-2 Red Division) to earn the No. 2 seed and a home match against the Vikings (4-3-2 Red in the BIIF semifinals on Jan. 31, and Waiakea can earn that right Thursday with a win against Keaau in its regular-season finale.
The Warriors own the tiebreaker because of 1-0 win against Hilo on their field Dec. 16. In that match, Vikings coach George Ichimaru admitted Waiakea “rocked the world for us,” but Hilo was the aggressor Saturday, scoring the game’s first goal midway through the first half when Dylan Bernard headed in a ball from Kahaku Tolentino-Perry.
“We needed to win the game, and we came out and played like it,” Ichimaru said. “We got fatigued, so that’s a little bit concerning.”
Waiakea got the equalizer from Riley Tamanaha with an assist credited to Colby Kerr.
Hilo was without one of its best players, Riley Patterson, who tweaked an injury, but Ichimaru expects him back for the playoffs, if not sooner.
The Vikings clearly looked like the more desperate team late in the match. Josh Rosario and Keanu Kalua took direct kicks from mid-range, with Kalua’s blast sailing just to the right of frame.
The Warriors paid extra attention to marking Rosario late in the match, and a few words were exchanged between players and assistant coaches after the match.
Like any good rivals, they shook it off and left to go get ready to meet again.
Hawaii Prep 4, Kealakehe 2: Jake Schneider collected two goals in Waimea, and Chris Whitfield and Tage Boyette each added one as Ka Makani (9-0) moved one win from an unbeaten regular season.
The Waveriders fell to 3-5-2 and will be back in Waimea to face HPA in the BIIF D-I semifinals on Jan. 31.
Kamehameha 9, Keaau 0: Jonathan DeMotta tallied a hat trick with two assists, and Rylan Respicio posted two goals and two assists on the Cougars’ field as the Warriors rolled to their ninth win in a row.
Tyler Waltjen, David Erskine, Kailikea Kekuawela and Luukapu Roback also scored for Kamehameha (9-1 White), Waltjen and Erskine also had assists and Ethan Shimabukuro finished with two.
Jameson Sato earned the shutout against Keaau (2-7 White).
Makua Lani 2, Konawaena 2: Kahoku Benson scored with eight minutes remaining to help the host Lions salvage a draw.
Girls
Hawaii Prep 5, Kealakehe 1: Teah Van Bergen accounted for Ka Makani’s final three goals in Waimea as HPA locked up the outright Red Division regular season title and an automatic berth in the HHSAA Division II state tournament.
Alianna West and Jordan Zarate scored in the first eight minutes for Ka Makani (10-1), who begin their bid for a ninth consecutive BIIF D-II title on Wednesday at home against Honokaa in the semifinals.
“Very happy with our play, our effort, and our attitude throughout the game,” HPA coach Stephen Perry said. “A beautiful day to play, the field was in great shape, and the girls really enjoyed being out there.
“I hope we can continue improving everyday.”
In the 79th minute, Breana Arakawa scored for the Waveriders (4-6-1 Blue). Kealakehe needs Makua Lani to come away with a win or draw Monday at Keaau to secure the final D-I playoff spot.
For the Cougars (3-5-2), it’s win to get in.
Kamehameha 4, Keaau 1: Hevani Haunga and Hiilei Wong Yuen scored two goals apiece as the visiting Warriors ended the regular season on a surge.
Winners of five in a row, Kamehameha (8-4), hosts Makua Lani on Wednesday in a D-II semifinal.
Forfeits
There were a pair Saturday. Ka‘u boys forfeited against Kohala, as did Makua Lani’s girls against Konawaena.