A year in the making, Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i girls soccer got its redemption.
Trailing 1-0 to Mid-Pacific late in Monday’s Motiv8 Foundation Girls Soccer Division II State Championship on O‘ahu, the Lady Warriors scored two quick goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation to win 2-1 and capture their first state title since 2008.
Losing in penalty kicks to PAC-5 in last season’s state championship, KSH head coach Steve Cootey told West Hawaii Today that this win meant everything to the team and school community.
“It was a relief, to be honest,” he said. “Seeing us reach our potential and finally win a state title after 17 years was amazing. It was a goal of ours for a while, so I’m very happy for the girls.”
The Lady Warriors finished 13-1-1 overall and 8-1-1 in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation, posting an impressive 65-4 goal differential.
But KSH’s monumental season was in jeopardy after Owls midfielder Ava Hand scored in the 47th minute off an assist from Kylene Paredes. It was the first goal the winners gave up since Dec. 3, 2024 against Waiakea.
The Lady Warriors’ coaching staff responded by changing some formations and moved a few players around, and hoped for the best.
“Right after (Mid-Pacific) scored, our body language was a little down, so I just reminded them that we’re not done,” Cootey said. “We had a lot of time left on the clock, so I think everyone jumped back quickly from that. We then pretty much just went for it.”
KSH finally got on the board in the 72nd minute thanks to Alyssa Hudman, who tied things up with her goal. Three minutes later, midfielder Madisyn Meyers scored the go-ahead goal off a corner kick from Mikaila Aina. The defense held up over the final few minutes, and the state crown was sealed for the Warriors.
“(Meyers) has always been a hard worker and committed to getting better, and she really did step up towards the end and brought the energy when we needed it,” Cootey said. “She’s been strong in front of the goal all season, and that’s how we got the game winner.”
The Lady Warriors logged 15 shots on goal to the Owls’ six.
KSH finished the tournament allowing just one goal, largely due to the play of goalkeeper Lahela Cootey. She finished the night with five saves. Mid Pacific (9-4-1) was led by its goalie, Chloe Tepraseuth, with three saves.
“We decided to go into the tournament more defensive-minded — being conservative and making adjustments as we needed,” Steve Cootey said. “Our back lines have always been organized, and they’ve always been so dependable.”
Cootey also believes that the team’s camaraderie played a big factor in the championship-winning season.
“Every year, I think the team gets more and more special. But this group had a lot of unity. We had a few extra days off in between games (due to weather), and we were able to add a bunch of team bonding. And at the end of the day, that’s what I believe is most important — the memories they gain from it.
“I think without being a close-knit team, we wouldn’t have been able to win this final game.”
All-Tournament Teams
Division II
• Mikaila Aina, KSH
• Madie Buczyna, Hawaii Prep
• Mia Chow, KSH
• Eva Hand, Mid-Pacific
• Kahalia Huddleston, KSH
• Ever Kaspo, Mid-Pacific
• Kylena Paredes, Mid-Pacific
• Rhacelyn Respicio, KSH
• Coral Turner, Kauai
• Lily Kay-Wong, KSH
• Goalkeeper: Lahela Cootey, KSH
• Most Outstanding Player: Madisyn Meyers, KSH
Division I
• Deisha Lyn Jacinto, Waipahu
• Cassie Jenkins, KSK
• Kaya Leslie, KSK
• Erika Marciel, Punahou
• Sarah Naumu, KSK
• Mya Pasion, KSK
• Haley Scott-Recarte, Punahou
• Madison Sharrer, KSK
• Emily Sparks, Punahou
• Kylie Tang, Punahou
• Goalkeeper: Yana Salanoa, Punahou
• Most Outstanding: Maya Yoshimura, Punahou
Castle 1, Kea‘au 0
Kea‘au boys soccer’s season ended Monday afternoon after falling 1-0 to Castle in the opening round of the HHSAA DI Boys Soccer Championships at Kea‘au High School.
The match was scoreless up until the very end, when Damon Turcios connected with Kitsakorn Saengkaesuk for the match-winning goal in the 80th minute. The Knights improved to 11-2-1 overall, and will move on to face second-seeded Iolani in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
The Cougars’ season ends at 4-5-0 overall and 4-3-0 in BIIF play. Kea‘au finished second in BIIF DI this season.