Win or lose, coach George Ichimaru was going to make sure his Hilo boys soccer team appreciated the moment. In their first match in almost 23 months, the Vikings also were able to savor the taste of victory again.
Kalei Rosehill scored in the first half Thursday and Leha Harman tacked on another goal in the second, and Hilo beat Kealakehe 2-0 in an early BIIF Division I showdown at Waverider Stadium.
“Prior to the game, I emphasized to the team to go out there and play with passion and enjoyment, and to play the best 80 minutes as possible as a team,” Ichimaru said. “I reminded the team of how difficult it is to play Kealakehe and (the) history (Hilo High) has playing there.”
The Vikings, the perpetual Division I runner-up, would like to make history in another manner this season.
Sneaking in a match before the new year, Hilo took to the pitch for the first time since losing to Waiakea in overtime of the BIIF final on Feb. 1, 2020. Since last winning a league crown in 2011, Hilo has posted seven runner-up finishes, and this year’s team was raring to get go after last season was wiped out by the pandemic.
“The build-up to this game was amazing, as the players were very excited to put on the jersey and play their first game,” Ichimaru said. “This year is the true definition of not taking sports for granted (after) COVID suspended high school sports in Hawaii. It was a great to see a game schedule and begin the season. I’m very happy for the boys to have a season and being a part of it.”
Goalkeeper Tait Labra was credited with the shutout of the Waveriders (1-1), who opened their season Monday with a 9-0 victory against Konawaena.
“Overall, it was a great game and we have lots to focus and improve on since it’s our first game,” Ichimaru said.
Makua Lani 9, Konawaena 0: Aukele Paikuli Campbell got the Lions off to a roaring start to their season, netting five goals to overwhelm the Wildcats in Kailua-Kona.
Lawaihua Paikuli Campbell added two goals for Makua Lani – the BIIF D-II runner-up in 2020 – and Ezekiel Imai and Mateus Fouts also found the back of the net.
Judson Veisauyadra was in goal for the shutout of Konawaena (0-2).