The Waiki‘i Interscholastic Open Polo Team of Waimea traveled on Feb. 19-24 to Indio, Calif. to compete for the Western Regional Championships and a bid to compete for the national title later this month.
The team, who finished No. 4 in the nation last year, is made up of two pairs of siblings — high school senior Ethan Matsui and sophomore sister Savannah Matsui of Hawaii Preparatory Academy and senior twin brothers Benjamin Tang and Charles Tang of Parker School.
After a dominating semifinal game, the group faced off against three-year rival South Bay of Menlo, Calif., in the final match. The tone was set, as Benjamin Tang scooped the ball out of the first bowl, and scored just 10 seconds into the game. It was a fast, hard-hitting first half, but Waiki‘i put on a defensive clinic — comfortably leading South Bay 5-1.
But the tide turned in the third chukka, as South Bay took advantage of some key foul calls by putting in six unanswered goals — four of which came on open-goal penalty shots. South Bay’s second-half surge gave it the 7-5 lead going into the fourth chukka.
Waiki‘i was down, but far from out. The Big Island squad battled back in the fourth, scoring three goals and locking down South Bay on the other end to take the 8-7 lead deep in the fourth.
Waiki’i then lost position on the wall, and South Bay was able to squeak one in to tie it with a minute left. Both teams had opportunities to lock it up in the final minute, but couldn’t seal the deal — finishing regulation tied 8-8 and forcing a shootout from the 25-yard line undefended.
After the toss, Waiki’i shot first and went wide, leaving the door open for South Bay. However, South Bay’s first shot also went wide, keeping the score even. Tang shot second and nailed it, putting the pressure on South Bay’s second shooter — who subsequently went wide.
That brought up Ethan Matsui, the final shooter for Waiki’i, who was on the hot seat. The pressure was on — if he makes it, Waiki‘i wins. But if he misses, the door is left open for South Bay to tie and force a second round. Matsui calmly cruised up and popped it in for the win, and the West Coast Interscholastic Open Polo Title and trophy came back to the Big Island for the first time ever.
Tang was one of only four players in the tournament to make the All-Star team. Waiki‘i also had two runner-up nominations and won the Best-Playing Pony of the tournament.
In the national competition from March 10-17, the team will be seeded fourth out of five teams — ahead of Northeast region winner Kingswood and behind reigning champion Houston, St. Croix, Minn., and newcomer from the Southeast region, Battlefield.
It will be a tough and exciting road for Waiki‘i, and the paper wishes the Waimea club the best of luck once again on the mainland!
