In a rematch of last year’s BIIF Division II championship game, the Hawaii Preparatory Academy girls soccer team jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead on Kamehameha-Hawaii Thursday evening, eventually cruising to a 4-1 victory on what seemed like an increasingly rare nice day in Waimea.
“It was nice to see the sun after playing in that mess last weekend,” said Ka Makani head coach Stephen Perry. “Kamehameha looked like they were trying a few things early and did not get off to a great start. It is what it is and we will see them again come January.”
Hawaii Prep took a 1-0 lead within the first five minutes of the game on a shot by Jordan Zarate, who is making a big impact after missing all of last season due to an injury.
“It is hard to come back from a year off, but she is getting more comfortable and starting to remember what she can do out there,” Perry said. “She is a force physically, and has a passion for the sport that is fun to see.”
Perry added that Zarate helps to open up the field, drawing attention away from last year’s BIIF Player of the Year Emi Higgins, as well as the players in the middle of the field.
With more room to work, Higgins could dominate the pitch again this season. She added two quick goals following Zarate in the first half on Thursday, finding the back of the net in the 9th and 12th minutes.
The first goal came on a through-ball from Jenna Parry and the next occured when she beat the Kamehameha keeper to the ball, tapping it in to give Ka Makani a 3-0 advantage.
The Warriors found a little momentum in the 18th minute of the first half when Perry said his team “made a silly mistake,” allowing Hevani Haunga to score.
However, Hawaii Prep managed to regroup in the second half.
“We did a much better job of communicating,” Steve Perry said. “We were also able to control the possession a little more.”
Teah Van Bergen added the final goal of the game for Ka Makani in the 57th minute when she received an assist from Zarate. Van Bergen broke in from the right side to put the ball in the corner.
Boys
Hawaii Prep 5, Kamehameha 2
Two goals by Chris Whitfield and superb play on the back line by Brendan Moynahan helped Ka Makani seal the win in a very physical game against the Warriors on Thursday.
Moynahan played probably his best game after being moved to center-back, having never played the position before.
“He was probably our best player over those 50 minutes,” said HPA coach Richard Braithwaite. “He really organized the back line and helped us out.”
Jake Schneider and Ilan Naibryf were also among the goal scorers.
Hawaii Prep will have a quick turnaround, playing Waiakea on the road today. The boys will play at 2 p.m. and the girls will follow at 4 p.m.
