Michael DeCoito sneaked in a goal Thursday for Hilo High when Aiea wasn’t paying attention, but his free kick was far from the only surprise at the HHSAA Division I boys soccer tournament.
The field at Oahu’s Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex was turned upside down with the ILH and OIA champions falling in dramatic fashion, leaving the Vikings as the highest seed remaining.
Controlling possession early and fending off Na Alii late, the Vikings vaulted into the state semifinals for first time in 21 years with a 2-1 victory.
“I told them before this match, you came as BIIF champions, show why, play your best soccer,” coach George Ichimaru said.
Kani Tolentino-Perry set up Leha Harman’s goal, his team-high 23rd, for a 2-0 lead in 29th minute. That became a key insurance goal after Kelly Takara scored for Aiea in the second half. Hilo made sure its OIA foe didn’t get the equalizer.
“The back line held up really well,” Ichimaru said. “Maximum effort and concentration, that had to by my favorite part.”
Winners of 11 in row, third-seeded Hilo will play Kaiser in a 5 p.m. semifinal Friday at Radford High in a match that will be broadcast on Spectrum OC16.
After their win, the Vikings were able to watch chaos ensue. Kaiser took down second-seeded Mililani in penalty kicks, and Kalani ousted top-seeded Punahou in PKs. The Falcons, who will play No. 4 King Kekaulike in the semis, are the only team in the field that’s claimed a state title.
King Kekaulike also advanced in PKs, beating Kapolei.
Hilo reached the 2001 final under coach Don Memmer, finishing runner-up. The Vikings hadn’t advanced in the winner’s bracket since until Thursday.
“One game at a time,” Ichimaru said. “We can’t worry about how long it’s been.”
Division II
No. 1 Hawaii Prep 3, Roosevelt 0: Aidan Santos scored in each half, increasing his goal total to 21, as Ka Makani cruised with the only quarterfinal shutout in either division.
Santos also assisted on Khabele Tau’s goal for HPA, which will play Seabury Hall at 3 p.m. Friday in the semifinals at Waipio.
“I really liked how we limited them to only two real chances in the second half,” coach Adam Christodoulou said. “We controlled the tempo the game was played at, particularly in the first half.”
Dominick Didonato and Nate Heilmann also garnered assists, and Logan Waiau kept a clean sheet.
Kamehameha 3, No. 3 Le Jardin 1: Everton Kuamoo scored the go-ahead goal in the second half as the BIIF runner-up Warriors reached the semifinals.
Elijah Dinkel tallied his team-high 18th goal to cap the scoring after Lucas Kay-Wong found the back of the net in the first half. Kamehameha will played second-seeded Island School at 1 p.m. Friday.
“Just capitalized on our opportunities,” Warriors coach Gene Okamura said. “Think in the first 20 minutes we had opportunities to get ahead by a few but didn’t capitalize. … and in the second half we finished the opportunities we had.”
