If you would have told Parker coach John Polhemus three months ago that his boys soccer team was destined to be one win from the state tournament, “I’d have a good laugh, for sure,” he said.
As it was Tuesday, Polhemus might have been too emotionally drained to laugh. That’s what 100 minutes of playoff soccer will do to a coach.
Everett Gordon and Lukas Dommer broke a scoreless draw with Honokaa by scoring two goals in the first 10-minute overtime in Waimea, and the Bulls held on to win 2-1, advancing to the BIIF Division II semifinals.
“I don’t know where this season ranks in our school’s history, but it’s been a heck of a ride,” Polhemus said.
It continues Thursday at top-seeded Hawaii Prep (6-1-2). The winner gains a state spot and berth in Saturday’s championship match at Kamehameha. Ka Makani won the previous matchup this season 8-0.
Usually a win for Parker is simply being able to participate in BIIF soccer, but not this season. The Bulls (5-6) were intent on trying to validate the No. 4 seed that earned them a home first-round playoff match.
“Our small enrollment makes it difficult to come up with the numbers to even field a team,” Polhemus said “This is our first one in like seven years, so none of our kids had played a minute at the high school level before this season.
“That gap was evident in our first few matches, but we kept at it and results started to come our way.”
And the 12th man was alive and well in Waimea, the coach said.
Parker beat Honokaa 3-1 in the regular season, but Polhemus credited the Dragons (3-8) for pushing Bulls harder in the rematch. In the second OT, Keanakolu Case scored for the Dragons.
“In the end, I think being at home and having that support really helped get us over the line,” Polhemus said. “So grateful that we have spectators back.”
Makua Lani 2, Christian Liberty 0: Kaelele Fernandez and Aukele Paikuli-Campbell scored goals in Kailua-Kona to vault the Lions into the semifinals.
Judson Veisauyadra kept a clean sheet as the Canefire (2-9) saw their season end, but the the contest was much closer than during the regular season, when Makua Lani won 11-2.
“Nice, slow-paced game,” Makua Lani coach Teva Beatty said.
That may or may not be the case Thursday as the Lions (6-3-2) hit the road to take on No. 2 Kamehameha (6-2-2) for a spot in the final.