The Kealakehe soccer team has grown accustomed to dominating its league competition over the past four years, and this year was no different. ADVERTISING The Kealakehe soccer team has grown accustomed to dominating its league competition over the past four
The Kealakehe soccer team has grown accustomed to dominating its league competition over the past four years, and this year was no different.
The Waveriders continued their BIIF unbeaten streak on the way to another league title.
That dominance carried over to postseason accolades, with Kealakehe claimed nine of the 16 first team spots available on the Division I All-BIIF Team.
“This has become a yearly occurrence,” Kealakehe head coach Urs Leuenberger said. “It is not surprising that we had so many people listed with another unbeaten performance in the league and a championship win against Hilo.”
Laukoa Santos, a junior midfielder for the Waveriders, who has drawn interest from San Diego State University, was the top honoree on the list, claiming his second consecutive Player of the Year honor.
“It feels great, but I could not have done it without my team, my buddies that train with me, and my coaching staff — both club and high school,” Santos said. “It’s all about hard work and showing up on the field.”
Santos went on to specifically identify coaches Leuenberger, Vinny Laporta, Joe Pries and John Yates.
“I’d like to thank Urs for all his hard work and for creating me into the player I am today,” Santos added. “I’d also like to thank my family for supporting me and allowing me to believe in my dreams.”
Santos has been a big factor in allowing Kealakehe to continue its streak. However, the Waveriders were pushed to the limit this year by several teams, including Hilo and Division II BIIF and state champ Hawaii Preparatory Academy.
Ka Makani might not have beaten Kealakehe, but the Waveriders didn’t get the victory either as both teams battled to a tie in January.
After beating Hilo 6-3 in the regular season, the Vikings proved to be a different beast in the championship game, nearly sending the match into extra time before a late set piece goal by James Caudell clinched Kealakehe’s fifth straight title and ninth overall since 2004.
The win was Leuenberger’s fondest memory of the season.
“We were down and had to come back and it was an extremely hard fought game,” he said. “It was pure excitement and that is why we are out here and why we love the sport.”
Santos picked up a crucial assists on the game winner, with a low corner kick that found Caudell in the right spot, at the right time.
“He is a very talented player and can make a huge impact in any game with his technical ability,” Leuenberger said. “This year his athletic ability and conditioning was better and he was more willing to play his position and not be all over the place. He was our engine and provided good moments for all of his teammates.”
Caudell, a junior defender, was one of the eight other Kealakehe players to make the All-BIIF First Team. He was joined defensively on the honorary team by seniors Jonah Palakiko and Ari Mench.
“Ari is a rock in the center and a very good position player that is hard to beat, and James is kind of like Ari’s sidekick,” Leuenberger said. “The two belong in the same sentence together. Ari has made his presence felt on many goals because he is awesome in the air and a great heading player. James is tall and in good condition. He plays the game hard.”
“Jonah is an extremely dependable fullback and runs up the wings,” Leuenberger added. “He has fantastic speed.”
Four year starting goalkeeper Greyson Moore was also named to the First Team.
“He really grew into the position and this was his best season,” Leuenberger said. “He directed the team from behind and when he was beat it usually wasn’t his fault.”
Midfielder’s joining Santos on the first team list this season are senior Alex Grace-Double and sophomore Matt Castro.
“Alex is very talented and crafty, and as far as ball distribution and the way he sees the game, he is just as good as Laukoa,” Leuenberger said. “Matt is a very physical, strong player, and he is very dependable. He is also hard to defend when he has the ball in the box.”
Seniors Josh Lopez and Tate Whitney were honored as forwards on the First Team.
“Tate can be used on the left or the right and scored some wonderful goals against some important teams,” Leuenberger said. “Josh is well conditioned and creates so much confusion in the box with his speed. When balls are lost, he is able to get to them and keep our momentum going.”
None of the Waverider members on the All-BIIF team this year have experienced a league loss since their high school careers began. The seniors finished their careers with a record of 55-0-4. Kealakehe has not lost since falling to Honokaa 1-0 on Jan. 27, 2012.
Hilo rises
While Hilo has had to deal with playing second fiddle to the Waveriders with four straight runner-up finishes in the league championship game, there is still a lot to be happy about for the Viking faithful.
Hilo’s George Ichimaru, was named Coach of the Year in Division I, and he was accompanied by five first team selections.
“Though I believe the coach who wins the championship should be Coach of the Year, it is still and honor and a privilege,” Ichimaru said. “This was a great year and we represented the Big Island well, not just in league play, but at states as well. The gap is getting smaller between the Big Island and the other teams in the state.”
Hilo was led up front by senior forward Jace Taka and junior forward Kaleihali’a Tolentino-Perry.
“Jace has great size and really bought into the system,” Ichimaru said. “He did everything he was asked to do and carried the team in the BIIF semifinals with two very important goals against Waiakea.”
As for Tolentino-Perry, the 2015-16 season was a very emotional time for the young forward.
“His father passed away and he dedicated his play this season to him,” Ichimaru said. “Kaleihali’a is a phenomenal athlete and has a higher soccer IQ than most players. He understands the tactics of the game and can execute them on the field.”
Tolentino-Perry’s father, Buddy Perry, was also recognized by Kealakehe’s Santos, who dedicated his Player of the Year honor to the man he says “was a big influence on the soccer here on the Big Island.”
In the Hilo midfield, senior River Brown and Nicholas Carter were named to the All-BIIF First Team. Brown was one of the two players responsible for allowing the Vikings to take a 1-0 lead against Kealakehe in the DI title game when he sent a perfect cross into Douglas “Riley” Patterson, who headed the ball into the net from just outside the six.
“River is hands down the most conditioned athlete I have every coached,” Ichimaru said. “In the 70th or 80th minute he is still running as fast as he was at the start of the game so I never need to take him out. He is also very technical on crosses.”
“Nicholas has great vision and can always see two to three steps ahead,” Ichimaru added. “He worked hard this year and pushed through injuries, playing every minute of every game.”
Jon “Brandon” Baca, a senior defender, was the final Hilo member named to the first team.
“He never stops running and working hard,” Ichimaru said. “He is good at clearing the ball out of the box and is tough to beat.”
