It usually doesn’t take Hawaii Prep’s girls soccer team deep into January to earn its first win. Of course, this is no ordinary BIIF season.
Ka Makani didn’t play their first match until last week, yet Wednesday was already senior day in Waimea. Senior Ruby Helmuth scored in the fifth minute for her second goal, and HPA beat Konawaena 2-0.
“Happy for the seniors to finish their play at home in good form,” coach Steve Perry said. “They have been working hard. Such a weird season, but they remain upbeat and positive.”
Helmuth is one of the few returning starters from the 2020 team that won a seventh consecutive HHSAA Division II title.
Senior Sarak Kiernan, a first-year starter, collected her second shutout, and Tiana Edwards tacked on a goal in the 18th minute. HPA (1-1-2) will be in Hilo next Wednesday to play the Vikings, then will gear up for a one-match BIIF D-II playoff against Kamehameha on Feb. 12.
The Wildcats (0-3) have scored just once this season, and will also be in Hilo next Wednesday to face Waiakea ahead of the Division I semifinals Feb. 9.
Boys
Hawaii Prep 9, Konawaena 0: Aidan Santos notched his second four-goal match of the season, and Kaiser Monchizuki scored twice in Waimea as Ka Makani ended a brief two-match winless streak and remained unbeaten.
Justin Heilmann, Nate Lawton, Mason Hunt also found the back of net for HPA (2-0-2), and Hunt and Heilmann combined on the shutout.
The Wildcats fell to 0-6 but drew praise from Ka Makani coach Adam Christodoulou.
“I thought Kona played well, very compact,” he said. “Best goalie (junior Timothy Huerta) we have come up against.”
Waiakea 6, Honokaa 0: Tevin Atwal scored three more goals – pushing his season total to 11 – as the Warriors improved to 5-0-1.
Ayden Araki, Adon Bisel and Rogelito Doratt also scored goals on the Dragons’ field, and Raiven Chinen and Kawena Calles combined on the shutout against Honokaa (2-3), which has lost three in a row.
Cancellations: Matches between Hilo and Christian Liberty on Thursday, and Kamehameha and the Canefire on Friday were cancelled.