As Hilo’s Logan Mizuba patiently played a ball on the left flank about 15 yards from the end line, coach George Ichimaru waited somewhat impatiently for Mizuba to make a move, yelling, in part, “Do something.”
Mizuba did, and his something turning into a perfectly placed cross.
The junior had a hand in three goals Thursday, making him the perfect complement to Riley Patterson. The senior captain is always up to something this season for the Vikings, scoring two more goals in 3-0 victory against a short-handed Kealakehe squad in BIIF Division I boys soccer at Hilo Bayfront.
“This is definitely a really good team and it’s all coming together for us,” Patterson said. “We took those two losses in the beginning, but now it’s exciting to see what happens.”
Waveriders-Vikings used to be the match of the year in Division I, but both schools took a backseat last season as Hawaii Prep and Waiakea reached the state tournament. The Vikings (4-2, 12 points), who jumped Kealakehe (3-1-1, 10 points) to vault into third place, have won four in a row since losses to Ka Makani and the Warriors to start the season.
Ichimaru felt Thursday’s effort was a proper barometer of where his team stands heading into the second half of the season.
“This is (our) squad and they’re starting to get into a rhythm moving forward,” he said. “Hopefully, this is a good turning point for us because we had a very rough start.”
In contrast, Waveriders coach Hayato Fukumitsu wasn’t drawing any conclusions from this one, not with his team missing a slew of contributors due to injury, illness and family trips.
“That’s the perfect storm for a team playing against us,” he said. “I’m not worried about our game play or dynamic.
“Play (us) full strength, and it’s a different game.”
Speaking of perfect storms, welcome to Patterson’s final season in blue and yellow.
A four-year starter on talented clubs, in many ways this is his team.
“My challenge to him this year is how are you going to carry and lead us this year,” Ichimaru said.
Patterson buried a penalty kick, upper left side, after Mizuba was fouled in the penalty box in the first half. Hhis 17th goal of the season in the second half was picturesque. Moving to his left, he collected a pass from Mizuba and redirected to the ball to his right to make it 3-0.
Patterson took eight shots, just one fewer than the Waveriders got off in the match.
Beyond a senior push, Patterson is motivated after missing much of last season with a knee injury. He returned in time for Hilo’s BIIF semifinal loss at Waiakea.
“I’m trying to make up for lost time that I didn’t have,” Patterson said. “Just get it all out and make my mark.”
Despite being outplayed in the first 40 minutes – Hilo put seven shots on frame, Kealakehe two – the Waveriders had a chance to tie the match early in the second half, but a penalty kick sailed high.
The Vikings flipped the switch back on, going ahead 2-0 when Haku Perry headed in Mizuba’s left-to-right cross on the far side.
“We needed to bounce back,” Patterson said. “I think (the PK) was a little bit of a wake-up call. Let’s get it together and make sure we put this game to rest.”
Hilo goalkeeper Jyson Breitbarth made three saves before Jase Ambrojo came on to play the final 12 minutes.
Kealakehe’s Alex Bell got a few decent opportunities at making runs on the right flank, but center back Kainalu Lewis was usually there to stand him up.
Ichimaru liked the way his back line as whole – Urban Halpern, Chauncen Labra, Masila Siva and Lewis – held up.
“They do a good job of keeping the ball in front,” Ichimaru said. “We’re working on small details. They’re cleaning it and that’s what really matters.”
Girls
Hilo 8, Kealakehe 0: Miya Clarke and Kalamanamana Harman each scored twice at Hilo Bayfront as the Vikings swept the season series from the Waveriders in a potential playoff preview.
While Clarke scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season, Jordyn Pacheco added her eighth. Haley Miyasato, Briana-Lynn Tanaka and Peyton Saguid also scored goals, while Hollie Saplan assisted on three for Hilo (6-0-1).
Saydee Bacdad and Hauoli Kalipi each had a hand in the shutout of the Waveriders (2-4).