When the Big Four turned into the Big Three in BIIF Division I boys soccer, it made finishing with the best regular season record and earning the top seed in the playoffs all the more important.
Hilo High boosted its chances Saturday with a win against Kealakehe at Waverider Stadium, leaving with a 1-0 victory at a place where wins down grow on trees for the Vikings.
“I liked how the team stuck together and focused on the game plan,” coach George Ichimaru said. “There’s small details ‘we’ as a team are focusing on and moving forward in the season.”
Michael DeCoito scored in the first half and Jyson Breitbarth was credited with the shutout as the Vikings (2-1) beat their former tormentor for the third consecutive time, including a win in last season’s BIIF semifinals. It was also the first win on the Kealakehe pitch for Ichimaru, who is in his sixth season. The Waveriders, who beat the Vikings in the BIIF title game for five consecutive years from 2013-17, had an unbeaten streak against Hilo that dated back much further than the start of Ichimaru’s tenure.
With Hawaii Prep in D-II and Waiakea, Hilo and Kealakehe likely vying for the two state tournament berths in D-I, it puts on onus on each team to find the easier path in playoffs and avoid the Nos. 2-3 semifinal. The Vikings took the first step in that direction, but the next big test comes Dec. 28 at Waiakea.
“We take it one game at a time and do our best,” Ichimaru said. “I feel the team is slowly understanding the system of play where the team can excel.”
The Waveriders fell to 2-2, also having lost to Makua Lani, 4-3, at home Dec. 6.
Hawaii Prep 9, Keaao 0: Jack Jeremiah and Daniel Vidal Gayaso scored two goals apiece in Waimea as Ka Makani improved to 3-0.
Conor Hunt, Ben Kubo, Dominic Didinato, Aiden Richardson and Nathaniel Lawton also scored a goal each, and Kawehi Cabuzel was credited with the shutout of the Cougars (0-3).
Makua Lani 10, Ka’u 0: Isaiah Easley scored twice, and eight Lions added a goal each, including Tia Lurbiecki, in Kailua-Kona.
Steven Perrino, Joshua Luth, Kai Van Bergan, Chase Lurbiecki, Tim Catanzaro, Matt Gallagher and Kala’e Mills also found the back of the net, and Dominic Perrino collected the shutout of the Trojans (0-4).
Girls
Hilo 4, Kealakehe 1: Nanea Moke-Rabang completed her hat trick early in the second half at Waverider Stadium as the Vikings bouned back from a lopsided loss to Konawaena.
Briana-Jean Tanaka scored the final goal, putting the Vikings (3-2) ahead 4-1 in the 45th minute.
Teisha-Ray Spinney-Kuahuia scored for the Waveriders (2-1-1).
HPA 9, Keaau 0: Riley Sohriakoff had a hat trick by the 35th minute, and Catie Moynahan and Kahala Erskine each had a goal and an assist in Waimea.
Bella Police, Alianna West, Malia Brost and Makana Blake also scored for HPA (2-0), Jenna Perry had two assists and Maia Mills and Sarah Kiernan each shared in the shutout of the Cougars (0-4).
