Jake Schneider scored four goals Saturday for Hawaii Prep’s boys soccer team, an accomplishment that hardly ranks as news these days.
The biggest headline in Waimea was on the girls side. Emi Higgins returned to action and quickly returned to form, scoring five goals in a 10-1 victory against Makua Lani.
Higgins, the two-time BIIF Division II player of the year, saw the pitch for the first time since suffering a leg injury Nov. 24 in Ka Makani Soccer Classic.
Coach Stephen Perry said Higgins got 40 minutes of playing time, and she quickly made an impact, notching goals in the seventh, 20th and 34th minutes as Ka Makani (7-1-1) scored five times in each half. Her presence, and the attention opponents are sure to have to pay to her, figures to open up the rest of the field for her teammates, who did a good job of holding the fort in Higgins’ absence.
Angela Cipriano netted her team-leading eighth and ninth goals of the season, Catie Moynahan also scored twice against the Lions (4-5-1), and Alianna West also scored.
Tia Lurbiecki opened the scoring for Makua Lani in the fourth minute.
In the boys match, Schneider recorded his sixth hat trick in a row, giving him 32 goals on the season, as HPA beat Makua Lani 6-2 in a matchup of divisional front-runners.
Conor Hunt converted on a penalty kick and Toby Balaam added a goal for Ka Makani (9-0).
Kahoku Benson and Kaipono Benson found the back of the net for the Lions (8-3).
Girls
Kamehameha 2, Konawaena 1: Kaila Ambrosio scored twice in the final minutes of regulation to lift the Warriors (6-3) to an exiting victory in Kealakekua.
In the 77th minute, Ambrosio tied the match on free kick just outside the penalty kick after a hand ball.
In the 78th minute, Ambrosio scored on a breakaway after gathering a pass from Chenoa Frederick.
The match was scoreless until the 71st minute, when Melina Ramirez put home a goal for the Wildcats (8-2)
Waiakea 1, Kealakeha 0: Maya Atwal scored in the first half as the host Warriors (6-3) won their fourth in a row to creep closer to Konawaena for second place in Division I.
The Wildcats and Warriors play next Saturday at Waiakea, a match that could loom large in determining home field in the playoffs.
Tiani Kow collected the shutout against the Waveriders (3-6).
Honokaa 1, Keaau 0: Sydni Abarcar’s goal extended Honokaa’s unbeaten streak to two.
Boys
Honokaa 5, Keaau 2: Daneau Domingo scored three goals in the second half to break a 2-2 tie at the break and finished with four overall at the Dragons’ field.
“We kind of had the wind in the second half, and we created most of the opportunities,” Honokaa coach Maurice Miranda said. “In typical fashion, we made it interesting.”
Seeking their first win, the Cougars (0-8) twice grabbed the lead in the first half on goals by Ethan Perreira and Michael Lagorio.
Koa Miche scored for the Dragons (3-7) before the half.
Kamehameha 5, Konawaena 0: Trysten Mahaulu, Buddy Betts and Ethan Shimabukuro each tallied a goal and an assist and Jonathan DeMotta scored his team leading 18th goal as the Warriors went on the road to win their second on a row.
Cuinn Cariaga also scored for Kamehameha, and Jake Toci was credited for the shutout.
The Wildcats (2-7) fell three points behind Honokaa for the fouth and final playoff spot in Division II.
Waiakea 7, Kohala 0: Riley Tamanaha and Chase Kotomori tallied two goals apiece as the Warriors rolled at home.
John Grover added his team-leading 10th goal, Aidan Santos tacked on his seventh and Taylor Todd also scored for Waiakea (6-1-1).
Isaac Sumera was credited with the shutout against the Cowboys (3-5).
Kealakehe 9, Ka’u 0: The Waveriders (5-2-1) won a TKO in Pahala as the Trojans fell to 0-9.