Somewhere on the long and winding road from Keaau to Kapaau and back Thursday, Kamehameha boys soccer coach Kevin Waltjen thinks the Warriors may have continued to turn the corner.
Jonathan DeMotta netted his third hat trick of the season, and the Warriors beat Kohala 6-1 to end a three-match BIIF losing streak.
“It’s been a tough last three games, but the good thing is we keep learning every game,” Waltjen said.
The defending state Division II champions are trying to replace 12 seniors and seven starters, and the growing pains were evident at the end of 2018 in losses to Hilo, Hawaii Prep and Waiakea by a combined 22-3.
“With the team that we have, we just have to keep on learning and making adjustments and improvements and adapting,” Waltjen said.
DeMotta is one of the few Warriors who has picked up where he left off last season while playing similar role. They senior striker has 17 goals on the season, and Buddy Betts added two goals and an assist as the Kamehameha (6-4) strengthened its hold on second place in Division II and a chance to host a BIIF semifinal.
The Cowboys (3-4) are nine points behind in third place.
“The team supports Jonathan in an attacking role and he supports the team,” Waltjen said. “Jonathan also had an assist.”
Chris Knell assisted on DeMotta’s goal and another goal by Kana’i Eckert.
Makua Lani 2, Honokaa 0: Kai Van Bergen scored on a penalty kick and Kahoku Benson added another goal as the first-place Lions (8-2) won on the road.
Dominic Perrino was credited with the shutout against the Dragons (2-6), who are tied in points with Konawaena (2-7) in fourth place in D-II. Honokaa coach Maurice Miranda said the Wildcats had to forfeit a 1-0 win against Honokaa in December because of the use of an ineligible player.
Girls
Makua Lani 2, Honokaa 2: The host Dragons (1-7-1) avoided a loss for the second time this season, getting goals from Ryah Cordoban and Tasha Ohta.
Anuhea Winters and Ilinahe Beatty scored for the Lions (4-4-1).
Hilo 9, Keaau 0: Miya Clarke tacked on her 12 and 13th goals of the season, Arielle Mendes also scored twice and freshman Payton Saquid contributed a goal and two assists as the Vikings (8-0-1) rolled at Hilo Bayfront.
Briana-Jean Tanaka and Kalamanamana Harman each added a goal and assist, Jordyn Pacheco scored her 11th of the season and Glory Medeiros also found the back of the net.
Anaseini Sipinga was credited with the shutout of the Cougars (0-8).
Hawaii Prep 14, Ka’u 0: Angela Cipriano tallied four goals and Zoe Ganley scored a hat trick in Waimea.
Riley Sohriakoff chipped in with two goals for Ka Makani (7-1-1), which got a goal apiece from Catie Moynahan, Ella Martin, Makana Blake, Kailena Akau and Kahele Walsh.
Goalkeeper Regan Riley shut out the Trojans (0-9).
Konawaena 4, Kealakehe 0: Naia Balancio and Jadyn Hanks scored in the first half in Kealakekua, and Tiare Quintal and Melina Ramirez added goals in the second half as the Wildcats (8-1) won for the eighth game in a row, dropping the Waveriders to 3-5.