Waiakea boys soccer coach David Urakami thinks the gentlemanly approach might work, after all.
The Warriors followed up what could have been their first loss with their best win Tuesday in the form of a 3-1 victory against Kamehameha at Paiea Stadium, putting the wraps on an unbeaten regular season that included three draws.
“The team is changing gears,” Urakami said.
Just in time for the postseason. Waiakea (7-0-3, 24 points) is ensured of hosting a BIIF Division I semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 16, most likely against Kealakehe.
The Warriors’ last draw came Friday at Makua Lani. The Lions had a chance at a late lead, but Kainalu Mattos blocked a penalty kick.
In ending Kamehameha’s four-match winning streak, sophomore Aziah Nelson continued to rise, scoring twice as the Warriors jumped out to a 3-0 lead by halftime. Nelson netted his eighth and ninth goals of the season, providing a capable scoring threat alongside Tevin Atwal, who tallied his 15th.
“Aziah has been finding his rhythm,” Urakami said.
He didn’t doubt it would start to come for his team as a whole, even if the three draws were frustrating.
“All these boys are gentlemen,” he said. They “had to adapt to high school soccer and the physicality it brings.”
Hilo (8-1, 24 points) needs a win or a draw Friday against Honokaa to clinch the top seed in D-I and a semifinal against Keaau (0-9).
Kamehameha (6-2-1, 19 points), which was playing for the sixth time in nine days, got a goal from Elijah Dinkel, his 13th. A bye into the semifinals (Thursday, Feb. 17) in the six-team D-II playoffs likely will be on the line Thursday when the Warriors play at Makua Lani (5-3-1).
Hawaii Prep 4, Makua Lani 0: Aidan Santos tallied his 16th goal and set up Mason Hunt’s ninth as Ka Makani rolled in Waimea.
Tau Khabele had the only goal of the first half, one-timing a cross by Kaisei Mochizuki. Mochizuki also helped to force the Lions into an own goal, and goalkeeper Logan Waiau kept a clean sheet. HPA (5-2-1, 16 points) plays Keaau at home Thursday and is in line for first-round bye in D-II.
Honokaa 2, Konawaena 0: Keanakolu Case and Shevon Lagaret scored as the playoff-bound Dragons (3-6) won at home to snap a six-match losing streak.
The Wildcats finished the regular season 1-9.
Monday
Kealakehe 3, Parker 0: Mathew Enriquez scored two more goals, increasing his league-high total to 22, and Shane Carroll also found the back of the net at Waverider Stadium.
Duke Becker and Koutaro Yamamoto teamed up the shutout of Parker (3-6), which owns a spot in the D-II playoffs.
Kamehameha 9, Keaau 0: Elijah Dinkel and Everton Kuamoo each recorded hat tricks in the Warriors’ road win.
Taylor Eckart, Levi Laa and Po Roback also scored goals, and Jacob Aiona was credited with the shutout.
Saturday
Christian Liberty 3, Konawaena 1: Seth Glenn and Makala Hayashida each scored their third goals of the season, and Josh DeCleene added his second as the Canefire picked up their second win.