It’s all but official now: Hilo’s and Waiakea’s girls soccer teams are on a collision course in the BIIF Division I girls soccer semifinals.
Briana Tanaka ensured as much, continuing her prolific scoring ways with two more goals Monday as the Vikings held on to beat Kealakehe 3-2 at Hilo Bayfront.
Booboo Corpuz assisted on Tanaka’s goal in the opening minute, and Corpuz tallied a goal of her own in the eighth minute as the Vikings (5-4-1) beat the Waveriders (2-5-1) for the second time this season.
Hilo led 3-0 before Teysha-Rey Spinney-Kuahuai and K’ii Takata scored goals for Kealakehe, which is likely relegated to the fourth seed in the playoffs.
The Vikings and Warriors each (5-2-1) each have 16 points heading into the team’s second meeting Thursday at Hilo Bayfront, though Waiakea has two matches in hand. A third meeting between the rivals in the postseason with a likely HHSAA tournament berth on the line figures to be more appetizing to each than the alternative of facing unbeaten Konawaena in the semifinals.
Hawaii Prep 12, Ka’u 0: Makana Blake and Kahala Erskine each scored twice in Waimea as Ka Makani tuned up for its cross-divisional showdown with Konawaena.
Bella Police, Kahele Walsh, Malia Brost, Jenna Perry, Alianna West, Ayano Kondo, Morgan Davis and Tiana Edwards also scored for HPA (7-0), and Walsh and Sarah Kiernan were credited with the shutout of the Trojans (0-6).
In a battle of unbeatens Wednesday, Ka Makani host Konawaena (8-0).
Kamehameha 9, Keaau 0: Nanea Wong Yuen tallied a hat trick, and Lei Lin Ching and Kastle Lyman each scored twice on the Cougars’ field.
Sophia Wilson and Taylan Manguail Noah added a goal apiece and Kaylia Galindo collected the shutout of the Cougars (0-8).
Boys
Kamehameha 9, Keaau 0: Elijah Dinkel netted three goals with an assist and Buddy Betts put home two goals with two assists as the Warriors won on the road.
Logan Waltjen also scored twice, Ethan Shimabukuro and Luukapu Roback had a goal each, Chris Knell garnered two assists and Connor Mondina was credited with the shutout of the Cougars (0-7).
Hawaii Prep 9, Ka’u 0: Ignat Nesposountnii, Mason Hunt and Aiden Richardson each scored twice in Waimea as Ka Makani bounced back from a rare loss.
Noah Balaam, Harry Kim and Daniel Vidal Gayaso added a goal each for HPA (5-1), and Kawehi Cabuzel shut out the Trojans (0-7).
Kohala 0, Honokaa 0: Cowboys goalkeeper Kamani Provencal made an “amazing save” at the end of regulation to preserve a draw on the Dragons’ field.
“(Kamani) had an outstanding game,” Honokaa coach Maurice Miranda said. “Stopped numerous shots. We played well but could not find the back of the net.”
Tyler Yamada secured the shutout for the Dragons (2-4-1) who are in a battle with Kohala (3-3-1) and Konawaena (2-5) for the fourth playoff spot in D-II.
The tie could be the advantage Honokaa needs, since it previously beat the Wildcats, who own a win against the Cowboys.