Punahou’s McKenna is a kick-starting machine

Duncan McKenna was as close to instant offense as you can get, and that catapulted the Punahou striker to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s boys soccer player of the year honor.

McKenna, a four-year varsity player, finished his career with 41 goals, including 19 this season, along with 11 assists.

“When we needed offense, if we could get the ball to Duncan, we knew we had a chance to score,” Buffanblu coach David Trifonovitch said. “Either he would score or draw defenders and play the ball off to a teammate for them to score. There were numerous times this season where Duncan just dribbled around or through defenders all by himself to score goals.”

McKenna, one of 11 players voted in by coaches from around the state to the Star-Advertiser’s Stellar Eleven, came through in the clutch, heading home a Christopher Espinoza corner kick for a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 win over Kaiser in the Division I state championship final.

A quick look at the rest of the Stellar Eleven shows a distinct neighbor island flavor, with three from the Big Island and one from Maui.

Only McKenna had more player of the year votes than midfielder Braden Kojima of repeat D-II state and Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Hawaii Prep.

“Braden did everything for us,” said Ka Makani coach Richard Braithwaite, who edged Trifonovitch in coach of the year voting. “He connected our backs to our attack, he kept us patient in possession so our outside backs could attack, and, most importantly, is a ferocious and brilliant defender. I’m not making this up: Everyone we played all year long told me they played poorly against us. Braden’s the reason why. No one had any midfield play against us, largely due to his defensive presence. He kept all middies playing backwards and unable to connect with forwards.”

Midfielder Angelo Deloso-Flocco — the only repeat selection in the top 11 — and goalkeeper Jorge Perez-Martin of Baldwin, along with halfback Laukoa Santos of Kealakehe, are the other outer-island boys on the Stellar Eleven.

“Deloso-Flocco is the engine and catalyst for Baldwin,” said Ryan Lau, one of three Kapolei head coaches who led the Hurricanes to the Oahu Interscholastic Association championship. “Perhaps the best player with the ball at his feet in the state in that he can beat you off the dribble, with a pass or with a shot. And Santos was the heart and soul of Kealakehe.”

Perez-Martin showed off his skills in a gut-wrenching 1-0 state quarterfinal victory over Mililani. The game was decided on penalty kicks, and in the PK portion, Perez-Martin saved two of six shots and scored one at the other end. He also had a PK save during regulation time.

Striker Makana Srivongsana and midfielder Noah Mokulehua of Kaiser, fullback Branden Wong of Kapolei, halfbacks Alex Liu of ‘Iolani and Jamin Fonseca of Mililani, and defender Kai Terada-Herzer of Punahou round out the top 11.

“Liu was one of the flashier players I saw,” Kalani coach Michael Ching said. “Very good and shifty on the ball.”

Srivongsana, a speedy and potent goal scorer, and Mokulehua, who spearheaded the attack, led the Cougars to an appearance in the state title game.

Wong was a brilliant defender for the Hurricanes.

“Branden marked Srivongsana and Mililani’s (dangerous striker) Hudson Zeisman in the OIA semifinals and finals. We were the only team to hold Kaiser scoreless all season. He also played very well against Duncan McKenna in our 1-0 double-overtime loss to Punahou in the state semifinal game.”

Fonseca played a big role in the center of the Trojans’ feared offensive lineup, and Terada-Herzer, a three-year varsity player, was a resilient and steadying force on the back line during the Buffanblu’s rise to the school’s 20th state title.