By JOE FERRARO Stephens Media ADVERTISING Hilo’s Mikah Hatcher had never played goalkeeper in a high school soccer match, and his opponent in his first game in net in six years was no pushover: perennial Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division
By JOE FERRARO
Stephens Media
Hilo’s Mikah Hatcher had never played goalkeeper in a high school soccer match, and his opponent in his first game in net in six years was no pushover: perennial Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I power Kealakehe.
Much to the Vikings’ delight, Hatcher played like a veteran, making five saves and leaning on strong anticipation skills to thwart a handful of other Waverider scoring chances when the undefeated teams played to a 1-1 tie Saturday at Waverider Stadium.
“He saved the game for us,” Hilo assistant coach Ed Torrison said.
Hatcher hadn’t played at goalkeeper since competing for an AYSO summer club team in 2005. Torrison said Hatcher drew the assignment because the team’s starting goalkeeper, senior Johann Kuipers, ruptured a vein in his thumb while making a save in practice.
“At first, I was a teensy bit nervous because since it was the first game coming back, but once I got into it I got used to it, and I played with confidence,” Hatcher said.
Vikings senior John Perez headed in his 15th goal of the season in the second minute, and Kealakehe senior Cory Fisher headed in a 35-yard free kick by sophomore midfielder Keoni Yates for his seventh goal in the fifth minute.
The Waveriders (6-0-1) won the possession battle thereafter, operating on Hilo’s side of the field for much of the match, and they outshot the Vikings (8-0-1) 12-4.
“They were just relentless,” Torrison said.
On four occasions, Kealakehe’s forwards ran onto what seemed to be nicely delivered throughballs from the midfield. However, Hatcher anticipated the tactics well, coming out of the net to intercept the throughballs before charging Waveriders could get there.
Kealakehe coach Urs Leuenberger said his team could have varied its attack against the Vikings a little more by taking shots from different distances and angles.
“We’re still a project when it comes to scoring,” Leuenberger said.
Kealakehe had a golden chance to take the lead in the 72nd minute, when senior Tyler Yates took a cross from freshman Marc Takahashi near the right post. Yates’ shot hit the inside of the left post and bounced out.
“Their goalkeeper was very good,” Leuenberger said. “I think they deserved the tie because of his effort.”
Hatcher credited his teammates on the Vikings’ back line – seniors Max Darris and Steven Grosskreutz, and juniors Adryan Vidad and Dane Miyata – for playing well in front of him.
Senior Deja-Dean Ruiz-Spinney, and juniors Jason Kuwada and Logan Whitney played just as well for Kealakehe in front of senior goalkeeper Kawela Benson.
Torrison may have summed up how both teams felt at the end of the day.
“We’re satisfied, but we’re not happy,” he said.
Honokaa 3, Kamehameha 0: Seniors Chayce Moniz and Robert Connors, and junior Pedro Sanches all scored first-half goals for the defending Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II state champion Dragons (7-0), who jumped to the top of the BIIF Division II standings with their home victory.
Honokaa (7-0), which has outscored its BIIF opponents 33-1 this season, did not allow a shot on goal to the Warriors (4-6-1).
Senior Maikai Coelho and sophomore Elzer Maltezo combined to blank Kamehameha (4-6-1) in goal.
Hawaii Prep 8, Ka ‘u 1: Junior Kepa Police had a hat trick, giving him nine goals on the season, while junior Martynas Golubovskis added his 10th and 11th goals for host Ka Makani, which improved to 4-3.
Senior Kawika Wise also notched two goals, while junior Hiroki Kawakami scored for the second time in as many matches.
Jemy-Ray Palancia found the net for the Trojans (0-11-1).
Waiakea 9, Kohala 0: Senior James Yamane scored three goals in Kapaau, giving him six for the season, and senior Cameron Boucher tallied his team-high 13th goal for the visiting Warriors (6-3).
Seniors William Ebeling and Dustin Figueira, sophomore Hajime Hayano, and freshmen Tyler Kerr and Dyson Sato each scored once for Waiakea.
Senior R.J. Iyo and freshman Chris Wung combined to shut out Kohala (2-8) in goal.
Konawaena 8, HAAS 0: The host Wildcats improved to 5-4-2, while Na Naia dropped to 0-6-1.
