Hilo High probably has had more star-studded soccer teams. Much more.
Briana-Jean Tanaka was a freshman on a senior-laden Vikings squad that dominated the BIIF for most of its for four years and claimed three league titles. Hilo also captured a BIIF threepeat from 2009-11.
But none of those teams accomplished the breakthrough that Tanaka and friends, the mere league runner-up, came up with Monday. The senior scored two goals at Hilo Bayfront and the Vikings beat Kaiser 2-0, becoming the first team from their school to advance in the winner’s bracket at the HHSAA Division I girls tournament.
“We knew our history,” Tanaka said, “but we weren’t focused on our history. We knew we weren’t done yet.
“We come into every game with a new mindset, ready to go.”
All of the Vikings’ previous state tournament victories came in consolation play, most recently in 2018. Hilo returns to the quarterfinals for the first time since that season, taking on second-seeded Mililani at 1 p.m. Thursday at Oahu’s Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.
“I think this team, with all the teams, we have very good chemistry,” said coach Skee Saplan, who took over the reins of the program in 2016. “I think every year we just try to make our soccer better and better, even if we might not have the individual pieces that stand out.
“And Briana-Jean Tanaka today, so …”
Tanaka scored in each half, increasing her team-leading goal total to eight for Hilo (4-2-1). In the 24th minute, she scored from 18 yards out with the assist going to Lindsey Hiraki. In the 64th minute, Tanaka found the back of the net from 5 yards out amid a scrum.
Kali’u Boteilho made five saves against the Cougars (9-4-1) of the OIA.
A lot of effort and energy went a long way, Saplan and Tanaka said.
“I’m just really proud of our team that we all worked together,” Tanaka said. “We never gave up on each other.”
For the first time, the BIIF will have two teams in the state quarterfinals. Waiakea, which beat Hilo 2-0 to win its first BIIF championship Feb. 12, is the fourth seed and will play Campbell of the OIA at 3 p.m. Thursday on Oahu in its quarterfinal. In another first round match Monday, Campbell beat league rival Waipahu 3-1.
Looking ahead to the Trojans (13-0-0) of the OIA, Saplan said, “Anything from here on out, (Tanaka) needs to be our lead contributor.”
“This is great experience to make it this far and be able to go (to Oahu),” said Saplan, who has 16 underclassmen on a roster of 26. “A lot of surprises, because this is their first experience.”
Previous to Monday, the only BIIF school to prevail in the D-I state winner’s bracket was Konawaena, which reached the semifinals in 2015 and 2019 and ‘20.
“You just have to rise to the challenge for that goal that you all want,” Tanaka said.
