The BIIF Division I boys soccer semifinals once again can be referred to as rivalry day.
Waiakea’s Gehrig Octavio provided the go-ahead goal in the second half Friday as the Warriors beat Konawaena 2-1 on their senior day, ensuring both teams will stay close to home in the semis.
On Wednesday in the playoffs, Waiakea (8-5-0) plays at Hilo (10-3-0), while the Wildcats (7-5-1) fall to the fourth seed and visit four-time league champion Kealakehe (11-0-2).
Sergio Garcia scored early in the second half as the Wildcats briefly tied the game before Octavio struck on a direct kick from about 30 yards away.
Michael Scott put Waiakea in front with a goal in the first half. The Warriors have won two in a row since a three-match losing streak.
“We had problems with formation, shape and possession, but we’re definitely growing now,” Waiakea coach David Urakami said.
It’s the third consecutive year that crosstown rivals from Hilo and Kailua-Kona are meeting in the semifinals, and Hilo and Kealakehe have won each of the previous matches as well as the regular season meetings this season. Hilo prevailed at Waiakea 5-0 on Jan. 26, and Kealakehe shut out Konawaena 9-0 in Kealakekua on Dec. 9.
“Both teams seemed focused from the warmups,” Urakami said of the regular-season finale. “It was a back-and-force match, and we got the last goal.”
Makua Lani 4, Pahoa 0: The Lions won at home to pass Parker in the standings and earn a home match against the Bulls in the first round of the Division II playoffs.
After Kalani Apalai scored on a shot from long range, Reyn Newton found the back of the net just 10 seconds after subbing into the match and Reid Murphy added a goal off a corner kick as Makua Lani (6-5-2) led 3-0 at halftime. DJ Madigan acounted for the only goal of the second half on a direct kick.
Emmett Alcos and Jonah Marks split time at goalkeeper for the Lions, who will host the Bulls (6-7-0) at 3 p.m. Tuesday. The winner will face top-seeded Hawaii Prep on Thursday.
The loss by the Daggers (1-10-1) secured the final playoff spot in Division II for Christian Liberty.
Honokaa 2, Keaau 0: Kauiki Feliciano broke a scoreless tie in the 60th minute after taking a pass from Levi Higa, and the two reversed roles later in the second half to lift the Dragons to a win on the Cougars’ field.
“They complemented each other well,” Honokaa coach Maurice Miranda said.
The Dragons get some rest before hosting a BIIF Division II semifinal on Thursday against either Kamehameha or Christian Liberty.
Maikai Kunishige-Aikau shut out Keaau (4-9-0).
Kamehameha 4, Parker 3: The host Warriors finished up an 8-3-0 regular season and will host Christian Liberty on Tuesday in the first round of the Division II playoffs.
Playoff glance
Division I
Wednesday
Semifinals
No. 1 Kealakehe (11-0-2) vs. No. 4 Konawaena (7-5-1), TBA
No. 3 Waiakea (8-5-0) vs. No. 2 Hilo (10-3-0), 3 p.m.
Saturday
At Kealakehe
Championship
Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.
Division II
Tuesday
First round
No. 6 Christian Liberty (2-10-1) at No. 3 Kamehameha (8-3-2), 3 p.m.
No. 5 Parker (6-7-0) vs. No. 4 Makua Lani (6-5-2), 3 p.m.
Thursday
Semifinals
CLA-Kamehameha winner at Honokaa (10-3-0), 3 p.m.
Parker-Makua Lani winner at Hawaii Prep (11-1-1), 3 p.m.
Saturday
At Kealakehe
Championship
Semifinals winners, 5 p.m.
Third place
Semifinal losers, 3 p.m.
