By KEVIN JAKAHI Tribune-Herald sports writer ADVERTISING KEAAU — In Waiakea coach JoBette Nabarro’s book, sometimes smart soccer is playing it safe. With the playoff picture in mind, the visiting Warriors put a priority on defense and tied Kamehameha 0-0
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
KEAAU — In Waiakea coach JoBette Nabarro’s book, sometimes smart soccer is playing it safe.
With the playoff picture in mind, the visiting Warriors put a priority on defense and tied Kamehameha 0-0 in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation girls soccer match Tuesday at Paie’a Stadium.
The four-team BIIF Division I tournament starts next Wednesday. The Warriors (6-2-3) don’t want to be the fourth seed and face undefeated Kealakehe (10-0), which thumped them 3-0 earlier in the season.
Waiakea has 21 points (three points for a win, one for a tie) and finishes the regular season at home against Division II Makua Lani (5-5), with the potential for 24 points.
Konawaena (7-2-1, 22 points) is a huge favorite at Division II Kohala (1-10) today and closes on the road Saturday against Hilo (6-3-2, 20 points), which has the potential for 23 points.
The most likely scenario is Kealakehe, last season’s BIIF runner-up, would host Hilo, the three-time defending league champion, in a BIIF semifinal for a state berth. The loser would stay home.
In the other BIIF semifinal, Konawaena, which last went to states in 2008, would host Waiakea for the other state spot. The two tied 0-0 earlier in the season.
Nabarro had all the potential matchups figured out before her team took the field, which is why she stuck her best scoring option, senior forward Teisha Nacis, on defense to run down any of Kamehameha’s threats on Paie’a Stadium’s fast, long, wide field.
“Tie or win, that was our goal. We definitely couldn’t lose,” Nabarro said. “We always want to go for the win, but we played smart soccer.
“Kiara Torres-Ah Sing hurt her ankle against Parker. She’s one of our best defenders. We couldn’t lose. That’s why we put Teisha back there, to have speed on defense.”
Kamehameha (7-2-2) has already wrapped up the No. 2 seed in the six-team BIIF Division II tourney and a first-round bye.
In what is likely a preview for the BIIF championship, Kamehameha hosts Hawaii Prep (9-1) on Saturday. The Ka Makani host Makua Lani (5-5) today.
The BIIF championships and the Division II third-place match will be played next Saturday at Keaau High’s stadium.
Meanwhile, Nacis was active on the defensive end, stopping a half-dozen attacks. Her goalie, freshman Jordan Melchor, also got a good cardiovascular workout. She recorded 10 saves, the toughest with 15 minutes left when Kera Akiyama crossed and Sara DuVoisin just missed on a header.
Melchor was fast enough to grab the ball just a split-second before DuVoisin soared in. Besides quickness, the other skill Melchor showed was sure hands. She caught every save, not once dribbling the ball.
“I have a really good defense and the support of my teammates,” Melchor said. “There were a lot of tough shots, especially the one-on-ones. The thing I try to do is stop the ball for my team. I just go for the ball and go all out.”
Nabarro also gave a shout-out to three other freshmen, Sabrina Scott, Keisha Sato and fullback Kassie-Lynn Miyataki, who along with senior sweeper Karley Swain negated Kamehameha’s advances.
“Our underclassmen are stepping up a lot,” Nabarro said. “Our freshmen class is strong and have heart. They really go hard.”
Even though Waiakea outshot Kamehameha 20-10, most of the attempts were from long distance, beyond the 18-yard penalty box and withered into the safe hands of goalie Lehua McGuire.
Kamehameha had better play on the offensive end, working give-and-go balls down the sideline and launching attacks from the wings. However, connect-the-dot soccer ended there. The home team couldn’t dish accurate crosses or funnel throughballs — the final and most important pass before a score.
“Our defense did a good job marking well and moving well together. We were unable to finish. As always, we’ve got work to do, even at the end of the season,” said Kamehameha coach Sonya Ah Chong, speaking, perhaps, for both Warrior teams.
St. Joseph 4, Ka ‘u 1: Freshman Alison Fuata tallied three goals and an assist for the visiting Cardinals (2-8-1), who pulled away in the second half after taking a 1-0 lead at intermission.
Fuata, who has scored a team-high five goals this season, assisted on freshman Celeste Tapia’s goal in the second half.
The Trojans dropped to 0-11.
Waiakea 5, Kamehameha 0: Senior Cameron Boucher collected his 14th and 15th goals of the season, and senior Nuu Aiava scored his 11th for visiting Waiakea, which improved to 7-3.
Senior James Yamane added his seventh goal, and sophomore Hajime Hayano bagged his fourth.
Senior goalkeeper R.J. Iyo shut out Kamehameha (4-7-1).
Christian Liberty 4, Keaau 0: Sophomores Nakaya Kerr and Louis Moylan scored their fifth and fourth goals of the season, respectively, in the Canefire’s road victory.
Junior Keenan Freitas added his third goal, and junior Kiyoshi Kaili scored his first for Christian Liberty (4-1-2).
Senior David Sato blanked the Cougars (2-7) in goal.
Hilo 6, Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science 0: Junior Dane Miyata tallied his eighth and ninth goals, and senior John Perez scored his 16th for the Vikings, who collected six second-half goals while playing on a muddy field in Pahoa.
Seniors Mikah Hatcher, Johann Kuipers and Eddie Torrison added a goal apiece for Hilo (9-0-1), while junior goalkeeper Max Holt shut out Na Naia (0-7-1).
