Kamehameha’s magic ran out at the HHSAA Division II boys soccer tournament, which won’t have a BIIF finalist for only the second since 2009.
Fourth-seeded Kapaa earned a measure of revenge Friday with a 3-1 victory at Oahu’s Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex, powering back to the title game after being denied by the Big Island Warriors in last year’s final.
Top-seeded Kamehameha (12-6-1) was held in check until Buddy Betts scored in the 79th minute. Until this loss, Big Island teams had a stranglehold on the event, winning the past three, and three different schools (Hawaii Prep, 2016-17; Honokaa 2011-12) had combined to claim five titles dating back to 2011. This marks the first time in six years that the BIIF won’t be represented in the final.
Johnny Movaghar scored two goals for Kapaa (11-1-1), getting the Kauai Warriors off to a strong start with a goal in the opening minute. Ryan Banisihan made it 3-0 right before Betts scored.
Kamehameha takes on Kalaheo in a 3 p.m. consolation match Saturday.
Kapaa’s last state titles came in 2013.
Kamehameha escaped Thursday in the quarterfinals when Jonathan DeMotta tallied his 26th goal of the season in the first overtime for a 2-1 against Waialua.
In last year’s title game, DeMotta’s penalty kick near the end of regulation lifted Kamehameha to its first state crown, 3-2 against Kapaa.
Makua Lani 1, Waipahu 0, PKs: Emmett Alcos, Isaiah Easley and Stevan Perrino converted their penalty kicks, and Dominic Perrino stopped three PKs, as the Lions moved into the fifth-place match.
Makua Lani (11-7-1) will take on Seabury Hall (1-10-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Division I
Hawaii Prep 6, Pearl City 1: Ka Makani blasted away in consolation play, getting goals from Tage Boyette, Ignat Nesposountnii, Noah Balaam, Conor Hunt, Victor Chen and Kaisei Mochizuki.
Leading scorer Jake Schneider did not play in the match after drawing a red card during Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Iolani in the quarterfinals.
HPA (16-2) draws King Kekaulike in a 3 p.m. match Saturday for fifth place.
