For a decade, Hawaii Prep, usually the champion, and Kamehameha, usually the challenger, have been the last two teams standing on their side of BIIF girls soccer, if not the entire state. That’s made the regular season seem like all but a mere formality.
This season, all presumptions can be dropped. With Honokaa and Makua Lani among the schools not fielding teams, the power couple of Division II are a lonely couple.
That means HPA coach Stephen Perry doesn’t have to preach a one-game-at-a-time mentality if he doesn’t want to. He can just point toward a title match that is already etched in stone Feb. 12 at Kamehameha, with, more than likely, a single HHSAA berth on the line.
“That ones for all the marbles,” Perry said, “so it’s just a matter of preparing between now and Feb. 12.”
If history in any indicator, it’s possible the second-best D-II team in Hawaii will miss out on the state tournament. In winning the past seven state tournaments, Ka Makani have beaten Kamehameha three times in the final, all in the past five seasons
“Both teams are good programs, and one is going to be left out,” Perry said. “That’s just the way it is.”
Consider this: HPA played more matches last season – when the two private schools and club teams lined up for a series of scrimmages as BIIF sports were on lockdown – than they will during this league-sanctioned season. After two postponements because of COVID-19 protocols, HPA hopes to play five regular season matches, starting Wednesday when it hosts Kamehameha in a what can be considered a showdown or a scrimmage.
HPA operates like clockwork during a normal year, starting with a single Saturday preseason match at Hilo High’s tournament, before welcoming some of the best teams in the state to Waimea for more preseason tests in which Ka Makani can sharpen themselves.
Not this year.
During a phone interview last week before HPA’s would-be opener against Waiakea was postponed, Perry said Ka Makani hadn’t yet had their entire group together.
“We’ve had no time to build our culture,” he said. “We really don’t know each other yet.”
Last year’s senior group was a stellar one that would have made HPA a strong choice to earn a BIIF repeat and an eighth state title in row, if not for the pandemic. Returning are a solid core of six seniors: Jordan Perry, Ruby Helmuth, Emily Thompson, Kailena Akau, Catherine Moynahan and Sarah Kiernan.
Helmuth and Perry are the two remaining all-BIIF selections and will patrol the backline in front of Kiernan, a first-year starter at goalkeeper.
“Her third season, and she is excited to be the one,” Stephen Perry said.
Moynahan will play in the middle, with Thompson on the flanks, and Perry is exited to see what Akau can accomplish at outside back.
“Good athlete, size and speed,” Perry said.
Freshman Nohea Lansdale will provide a presence at striker, and another new face is German Emilia Tretau, a junior who could play an attacking mid.
“I don’t think they’ve had a chance to talk about it,” Perry said when asked about his team trying to maintain its dynasty. “Much of this group hasn’t had that experience. That’s probably a good thing. Everybody starts fresh.”