If desire could be quantified, Kapolei’s meter would likely have shown a few degrees higher than Mid-Pacific’s on Wednesday.

Even Mid-Pacific midfielder Kohei Tomita said several times afterward that the Hurricanes wanted it more. Whether that indicator of ambition was true or not, Kapolei got what it wanted with a 2-0 victory over the Owls in the Division I first round of The Queen’s Medical Center/HHSSA Boys Soccer State Championships at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park.

While the Hurricanes (10-3-1) produced enough offense, the team defense that stymied a powerful Mid-Pacific attack was a major factor.

“We’ve been focusing on the four D’s, deny, delay, defend and deflect, so basically we preach high pressure all over the field, and then try to deny the penetrating pass and the penetrating dribble,” Kapolei co-head coach Ryan Lau said. “We wanted to make sure that we limited their options.”

The Hurricanes move on to play fourth-seeded Kealakehe (13-0-2) today in the quarterfinals.

Kapolei’s defensive scheme, led by center back Lyric DeLeon in front of goalkeeper Makana Breault, worked wonderfully. The Owls (8-2-3), one of the best passing teams in the state, maintained ball possession for much of the second half, working for in-close shots, but could not get the golden opportunities they were seeking.

Earlier, in the ninth minute, Kapolei offensive wizard Shandon Hopeau scored with a header on a chip from Branden Wong to make it 1-0.

“They (the Hurricanes) were fortunate for that first goal,” Owls head coach Jayson Abe said. “ I thought it was clearly offsides. We talked to the officials about it, but their minds were set.”

Hopeau had a handful more strong scoring chances in both halves, but couldn’t find the net.

In the second half, Mid-Pacific’s passing game — forward, back and lateral — showed up big-time. On one play, the ball went from Payton Boyd to Tyler Allen to Brycen Lee to Jaren Saiki, back to Lee and then to Tomita, who shot wide.

“I don’t know if our team wanted it,” Tomita said. “It looked like (Kapolei) wanted it more. There wasn’t enough movement among our players and they were reading our passes really well. Before the game, everyone seemed ready, but as we got more into the game, everyone got less and less into it.”

Late in the game, a pass play from Skyler Adams to Allen to Boyd nearly yielded the tying goal, but the ball skidded wide right by a few feet.

In the 72nd minute, the Hurricanes’ Noah Kolona drove down the left wing and sent a cross toward the net. The ball bounced off a teammate and went to the foot of Sean Yoshida, who put it away.

Kapolei made it to the state semifinals in three of the past seven seasons, but never farther.

“We came out here and were focused,” DeLeon said. “We want to play as a brotherhood and make sure that from the goalie to the top forward, that all 11 play hard and leave it out on the field.”

Added Lau: “It’s a long road, but this is a very motivated team. We have to demonstrate that it’s not about talent any more. It’s who’s got the will.”

For the Owls, who won the D-II state title two years in a row before moving up this season, getting to the tourney was a big feat.

“We’re not always going to be at our best, but unfortunately it was today,” Abe said. “In the second half, we did a real good job of adjusting and playing with urgency and creating chances. It’s devastating and you can see the disappointment on the faces and in the posture of the boys.”

Baldwin 2, Mililani 1

Micah Ching and Nicholas Cervantes gave the Bears (10-2-1) a 2-0 lead and they held on.

Isaiah Manding scored in the 79th minute for the defending champion Trojans (12-2).

Baldwin meets OIA champion and top-seeded Kalani (13-0) today.

Radford 5, Hilo 1

Michael Watson scored four goals for the Rams (10-5), who will face ILH champion and second-seeded Punahou (9-0-3) in the quarterfinals today.

Bane Vanburger also notched a goal for Radford.

Kaleihali‘a Tolentino-Perry had the lone goal for the Vikings (11-5).

Kaiser 5, Moanalua 3

Makana Srivongsana scored three goals and David Cito-Rodrigues added two goals for the Cougars, who move on to play MIL champion and third-seeded Kamehameha-Maui (10-1-1) in today’s quarterfinals.

Erik Tabiolo, Nick Ishikawa and Dylan Cabalang scored for Na Menehune (8-5-2).