KAILUA-KONA — It was an anniversary of sorts for Kealakehe on Wednesday.
Four years ago to the day Kealakehe had suffered its last loss in BIIF play — a 1-0 defeat by the hands of Honokaa on Jan. 27, 2012.
Coincidentally, the Dragons were in town to take on the juggernaut Waveriders, but history wouldn’t be repeating itself.
Behind goals from six different players and a shutout in net from Greyson Moore, Kealakehe walloped Honokaa 7-0 on senior day.
With the win, Kealakehe’s streak moves to 55-0-4 in BIIF play since that loss in 2012. The seniors being celebrated were not even in high school the last time the Waveriders lost a league game.
“When you are in middle school, watching all the games, you think about stepping on the field with all your friends, winning games,” Kealakehe senior captain Ari Mench said. “It’s been quite the ride and a great time. No one wants to lose, and winning makes that experience of playing soccer so much better.”
Kealakehe (9-0-2) moves back into sole possession of first place in Division I. The Waveriders have been jostling with Hilo (9-2-0) for most of the season atop the standings, and might have to wait until their final game of the season to lock up the regular season title, the No. 1 seed in the BIIF playoffs and an HHSAA tournament berth.
While Kealakehe might have to wait on that, the large margin of victory over the Dragons was an another step in the right direction for momentum and morale since a disappointing 0-0 tie against Kamehameha on Jan. 15. The Waveriders have outscored their last four foes by a combined 31-0.
“The boys came out very spirited,” Kealakehe head coach Urs Leuenberger said. “We hit our low against Kamehameha the other day with that tie. It’s a peak and valley thing. We hit the valley so now we are heading towards that peak.”
That climb back to the peak started as a sprint for the ‘Riders. Matt Castro found the back of the net less than five minutes in, setting the tone for an offensive barrage.
“We changed to a 4-3-3 and the game plan was to put it on turbo from the first to last minute,” Leuenberger said. “That’s what we are good at and we are not going to ever change that.”
Mench, an All-BIIF defender, also enjoys the team playing at a quick pace.
“We had a period of iffyness where we really didn’t feel like we were playing to our full potential. It feels good to get back on track,” Mench said. “I think we came out fast and really were able to play our game.”
Kealakehe kept up a torrid pace on offense for much of the first half, peppering Honokaa keeper Isaac Aguilar with shots. Waverider senior Josh Lopez would have the most success, tallying two goals before the break to give Kealakehe a 3-0 lead.
The start of the second half looked a whole lot like the first. Kolby Martin scored less than three minutes in, and Alex Grace Double and Tate Whitney added goals to build the Waverider lead to 6-0 with 10 minutes left.
With less than a minute remaining, Jonah Palakiko lasered a ball into the net to cap the scoring.
Four of the seven goals came off the foot of a Kealakehe senior, and Moore — also a senior — added yet another shut out to his lengthy resume.
“Obviously these seniors have been a huge part of our program,” Leuenberger said. “There are still regular season games left and then playoffs, so by no means is this season over. We will be highly alert for anybody and anything heading our way. For our spirits and confidence this game was huge. That is not a bad Honokaa team at all.”
Parker 3, Makua Lani 2: Skyler Pluess scored two goals in Waimea and Owen Matsuda added another as the Bulls bagged their biggest victory in recent memory.
With the victory, Parker (5-5-0) leapfrogs the Lions (4-4-2) for fourth place in Division II and gives itself a chance at hosting a playoff game. With Kamehameha five points ahead of the Bulls in third place, Makua Lani and Parker will likely match up in the first round of the playoffs Feb. 9 at the site of the No. 4 seed.
Loa Ng and Noa Moaniati scored for the Lions, but goalkeeper Ian Owens stood tall for the Bulls.
Keaau 7, Ka’u 3: Rico Handy, Dreq Agliam and Alex Keely each scored twice and the Cougars won in Pahala to keep their playoff chances on life support.
Daniel Vierra also found the back of the net for Keaau (4-7-0), which would need to win its final two regular season games and have Waiakea lose its last three to force a play-in game for the final postseason berth in Division I.
Kun Monkeya tallied two goals for the Trojans (0-10-1) and Trevor Taylor also scored.
Girls
Honokaa 2, Kealakehe 0: The Dragons (2-5-1) used first half goals from Tia Agdeppa and Ana Hosek on a penalty kick at Waverider Stadioum to tally their second win of the season.
The Waveriders (1-7-0) were seeking a win to lock up the No. 4 seed in the BIIF Division I playoffs. They will have a second chance to lock up a spot in the postseason on Saturday against winless Pahoa.
