KEAAU – Kaila Ambrosio takes all the free kicks for Kamehameha.
And boy does she take them.
Nanea Wong Yuen handles all the corner kicks, in part because Ambrosio is so good in the air.
And, apparently, at being a decoy, because don’t forget about Roycie Faye.
The senior was hanging back as usual when she struck Wednesday night, heading in the golden goal in overtime as the Warriors repeated as BIIF Division II girls soccer champions, stunning Hawaii Prep 3-2 at Paiea Stadium.
“The first think I do (on corner kicks) is I stand at the end of the 18,” Faye said. “I lure everyone out and I run before everyone starts running, so I have a clear view and go for it.
“When you go for a header, you can’t be scared, you have to go for it.”
The Warriors (11-4) were the aggressor in OT – HPA fullback Zoe Ganley saved a goal moments earlier – after grabbing the momentum late in regulation.
Ka Makani (12-2) looked poised to claim its ninth BIIF titles in 10 seasons, but with 62 seconds left on the clock Ambrosio, standing on the right flank from about 35 yards out, buried a free kick with a high-arching blast that cleared the goalkeeper’s hands.
As her teammates celebrated the equalizer, Ambrosio lay on the turf for a moment.
“I was getting a cramp, and I knew if I didn’t score, that was it,” said Ambrosio, a senior who has signed to play at UNLV. “This feels amazing. This beats anything (in my career) because we did it on our home field. I couldn’t ask more from my team.”
The rivals were playing for eighth consecutive season in the championship match, and the past four have been decided by a one goal.
So while one team was going to win and the other lose, it’s very possible they’ll meet again in 10 days in the state championship match on Oahu.
“Oh, yeah, definitely,” Ambrosio said.
HPA, the five-time defending state champ, begins play next Wednesday at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex, while Kamehameha, a state runner-up two of the past three seasons, will prepare for a quarterfinal Jan. 31.
“They have a decision now on how they want to respond,” HPA coach Stephen Perry said. “A little adversity that we can turn into a positive or not.”
Ka Makani were resurgent last season, losing their BIIF dynasty in penalty kicks to the Warriors only to extend their state reign a week later in another one-goal game against Kamehameha.
“They beat us (tonight),” Perry said. “We picked a bad night to be flat. The beat us to every free ball and had us on our heels most of the game, so that’s our fault.”
Kamehameha scored all three of its goals on set pieces.
After scoreless first half, Chenoa Fredrick ran onto a bouncing Ambrosio free kick from midfield and nestled the ball into the net.
A few minutes later, Emi Higgins converted on a penalty kick to tie that game, and order appeared to be restored for Ka Makani – which was the far more complete team during the regular season – when Alianna West was on the back door to coral a through ball and made it 2-1.
HPA swept the season series, including a 5-0 win at Paiea on Jan. 12.
“Our coach took one for the season I guess,”Ambrosio said of that shutout loss. “He told us it’s not worth it to win that game. Win the one that counts.
“Because of the freshmen, I really felt like we were underdogs today.”
By now, Wong Yuen, goalkeeper Kaylia Galindo and midfielder Kastle Lyman are ninth-graders in designation only, coach Josh Woodard said.
“They aren’t freshman anymore,” he said. “Everybody stepped up.”
Perhaps no one more so than Faye, a “naturally gifted player” who just had to get her health straight, Woodard said.
A fullback, Faye has scored in three consecutive matches.
She was aggressive from the outset in the final, and though she appeared a bit tentative after drawing a yellow card, she was at the right place at the right time in OT.
“We all wanted the same thing,” Faye said. “Just because they’ve won consistently, doesn’t make them the better team, unless…”
Her voice trailed off, which was apropos.
These teams will probably meet again soon.
Third place
Makua Lani 4, Honokaa 0
Tia Lurbiecki scored two goals as the Lions (6-8-1) secured their fourth consecutive berth at the state tournament.
Illinahe Beaty opened the scoring in the sixth minute, and Colby Hardie had the only goal of the second half.
Enjolique Hughes and Emilia Walker were in goal for the shutout of the Dragons (3-11-1).
