Kamehameha’s boys soccer game didn’t need Elijah Dinkel to do all the goal-scoring this time.
Kamehameha’s boys soccer game didn’t need Elijah Dinkel to do all the goal-scoring this time.
All the Warriors needed was one goal from the junior, his 16th of the season, and a complete effort overall Thursday to beat Makua Lani 4-1 in the BIIF Division II semifinals at Paiea Stadium.
Kamehameha (7-2-2) will return to its field at 5 p.m. Saturday night to take on top-seeded Hawaii Prep for the championship. In the other semifinal, Ka Makani blanked Parker 5-0.
Last week in Kailua-Kona, the Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the Warriors until Dinkel scored twice, including a goal late in the match that gave his team a draw and home field in the rematch. On Thursday, Po Roback, Everton Kuamoo and Lucas Kay Wong also found the back of the net.
“Think just execution in the final third and better overall defensively,” coach Gene Okamura said on the improvements his team made.
Aukele Paikuli-Campbell scored for Makua Lani, which saw its season end at 6-3-2.
In the final, Kamehameha seeks its first title since 2019 against an HPA team it also played to a 2-2 draw with during the regular season. Dinkel scored both goals Jan. 19 in Waimea, the final one coming in the last minute of the match.
“Got to defend really well against HPA and try to capitalize on our opportunities,” Okamura said.
