KEALAKEKUA — There is now only one team that can claim to be unbeaten in the BIIF.
Behind an early strike from Emi Higgins and a late tally from Teah Van Bergen, Hawaii Preparatory Academy (7-0) held off a scrappy Konawaena (5-1-1) squad 2-1 on Wednesday night at Julian Yates field.
Hawaii Prep, the four-time defending D-II state champions, had been downright dominant during their opening six games of league play, outscoring BIIF opponents by a combined score of 40-2. Ka Makani’s last BIIF game was on Dec. 20, and their last competitive game was a 2-0 win over Waiakea nearly a month ago, which could be a cause of concern for some teams.
But there was no holiday rust holding back the well-oiled Ka Makani machine, evident by Higgins’ goal less than five minutes into the contest.
Head coach Steve Perry credited a competitive trip to Oahu over the break with games against Kaiser and Punahou — which resulted in a tie and close loss — as a catalyst for his squad staying sharp.
“We have been practicing and the girls have been working hard,” Perry said. “We played a couple of good games on Oahu last week, which helped in this one. We knew Konawaena was going to play us tough. I still don’t think we showed the best composure in the back and started playing a little frantic, but that’s part of the process and we will learn from it.”
The trip also improved the team chemistry, which was already close to hitting on all cylinders according to Van Bergen, a senior captain.
“We are literally like family. We connect on more than just a soccer level,” Van Bergen said. “Those games on Oahu really prepared us for this and brought us together even more. I think we could have came out flat if it was not for that.”
Hawaii Prep is locked into the top seed in Division II, but a strong schedule down the stretch is something the team has been looking forward to in preparation for the BIIF playoffs, including a matchup against two-time defending D-I champion Hilo on Saturday on the east side of the island.
“Before the game, we had a good chat about January finally being here,” Perry said. “I love the schedule. We have Hilo next and we know they want to get back at us for the game we played earlier this season. I like where we are at.”
Despite the loss, Konawaena can’t complain about the effort against the powerhouse Ka Makani and made a statement as a team that can compete for a D-I title in the BIIF. Nalani Wall netted the 1-1 equalizer on a penalty kick for the Wildcats in the second half, and Konawaena had its chances late to come away with a tie.
“Nalani is a force in there,” Perry said with a laugh. “You let her go too many times and she will make you pay.”
Wall’s goal ignited what was already a vocal Kealakekua crowd, which came out in force for the weekday evening start time. But under pressure, and with a little different look than usual, Hawaii Prep responded.
After Julia Perry went down with an injury in the first half, Steve Perry was forced to move some pieces around, which included sending Van Bergen from the midfield to outside back — a position she played her freshman and sophomore seasons.
She found her comfort zone in the second half, executing a beautiful play with Higgins on an overlap run for the eventual winning goal.
“To be honest, I had the most hardcore prayer of my life like two seconds before that goal happened,” Van Bergen said. “The moment I passed to Emi, I knew I was going to get it back, so I knew I just had to make my run.”
Keaau 2, Kealakehe 1
Rosi Handy is former soccer player at Keaau High and the daughter of longtime boys coach Richard Handy, so she certainly knew what she was getting into.
Handy watched her father pull double coaching duty last season before she came to the rescue to take over the girls program, holding absolutely no delusions of grandeur considering the unlevel playing field the Cougars face experience-wise in BIIF Division I.
In theory, Keaau is on fairly even ground going up against Kealakehe, but that went out the window Wednesday when the Cougars suited up only 10 players. Fighting uphill again, that just made Maurice Riingen late go-ahead goal, her second of the match, all the sweeter as Keaau earned a 2-1 victory to gain a leg up in the playoff race.
“We have 13 players total and the numbers worked for us,” said Handy, who’s team was playing shorthanded for the first time this season. “I told the girls, let’s get this win today. It’s not only what we needed, but what we wanted.”
The Cougars (3-3 Blue division, nine points) tied the Waveriders (3-4, nine) in the race for the final playoff spot in D-I. The teams meet again in Kailua-Kona on Jan. 17, and Handy hopes to have the full complement of 11 players then after having to practice much of the winter break with as few as seven players.
“The seven that we had show up to practice, they all practice hard and it shows,” she said.
Last season, the Waveriders and Cougars split during the regular season, and Keaau punched its first ticket to the BIIF semifinals by winning a play-in game at home.
“The playoffs should always be a goal,” she said, “but so is just playing as team, learning how to play soccer together and having fun.
“We have a couple of freshman that came up from club that really help us stay strong with low numbers.
Riingen and Kierstyn Yamamoto give a Keaau a solid offensive nucleus and Handy credited goalkeeper Makamae Kanaina with coming up with at least three fine saves against the Waveriders, who got a goal from Breana Arakawa as the match went to halftime 1-1.
Handy, a 2012 Keaau graduate, said she never told her team to play for a draw, and Riingen broke the deadlock after corralling the ball for a breakaway down the right wing, giving Handy and assistant coach Rico Ferrari a chance to celebrate, alone, on the bench.
“I feel like we’re always in the same situation where not a lot experienced players come out,” she said. “But we never had a numbers problem when I was in high school.
“But the girls are pulling it together and are awesome.”
Hilo 9, Honokaa 0
Jordyn Pacheco scored four goals and Hollie Saplan registered a goal and three assists as the Vikings rolled at Hilo Bayfront.
Kiana Corpuz tallied two goals for the Vikings (6-1-1), and Glory Medeiros and Kalamanamana Harman added one apiece.
Saydee Bacdad was credited with the shutout of the Dragons (1-7).
Waiakea 4, Makua Lani 0
Xailynn Lyman-Moke scored two goals and Ki Serrao and Ella Johnson also found the back of the net as the Warriors (5-3) won on the road.
Tiani Kow blanked the Lions (2-4).
Boys
Kealakehe 2, Keaau 1
Teddy Rubenstein and Alex Bell scored goals as the Waveriders won on the road to improve to 3-4.
Daniel Vierra tallied a goal in the final five minutes for the Cougars (1-4).
Hilo 3, Honokaa 0
Chauncen Labra, Jack Mann and Josh Rosario each scored as the Vikings (4-2) eased to victory at Hilo Bayfront.
Waiakea 4, Makua Lani 0: The Warriors (4-2) got a goal apiece from Kai Biegler, Kolton Xie, John Grover and Riley Tamanaha to win on the road.
Isaac Sumera and Taylor Todd each had a hand in the shutout against the Lions (3-3).