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Top-seeded Hawaii Prep wasn’t expecting lightning this year, but sure enough Ka Makani got a taste of it in the form of the ‘Iolani soccer team Thursday night.
The Raiders didn’t waste any time, striking like a bolt in the first half-minute of the match en route to a 2-1 upset in the Division I quarterfinals of The Queen’s Medical Center/HHSAA Boys Soccer State Championships at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
The victory ended Hawaii Prep’s reign as Division I state co-champions. It was one year ago that Ka Makani made it to the final that ended in a 0-0 tie against Baldwin when lightning was spotted in the area and the remainder of the match was called off during the first overtime. The other 2018 co-champs — the Bears — were eliminated in this year’s first round — 2-1 to Pearl City on Monday.
Having dispatched Hawaii Prep, ‘Iolani (12-2-1) advanced to tonight’s semifinals against OIA champion and fourth-seeded Kapolei.
This is the first time since 2015 that the BIIF champion Ka Makani (15-2) did not bring home a koa trophy. They had won two consecutive D-II state titles before last year’s D-I co-championship.
Showing off a crisp passing game and solid defense, the Raiders — runners-up to Punahou in the ILH — showed on Thursday that they’re hungry for their first D-I state crown since 2014 and 10th overall. But the last 16 minutes proved to be a gut-check, as the Raiders had to hold off an inspired Hawaii Prep rally.
“They know every game could be their last game,” ‘Iolani coach Chris Lee said about his players. “So they’re playing with that intensity. No regrets. We knew Hawaii Prep was going to come out and play until the very end of the game.”
From the back-door post, Lincoln Oishi put ‘Iolani on top 1-0 in that first minute, heading home Jonah Kawamura’s corner kick.
“It’s always good to win your quarterfinal,” Oishi said. “We showed resilience and didn’t give up. We showed how mature our team is … to calm down and perform at such a level.”
A dangerous throw-in led to Tyler Udarbe’s goal that made it 2-0 late in the first half. In a large crowd, the ball caromed off a few players before Udarbe followed through to push it home.
Early in the second half, after an ‘Iolani hand ball in the box, Hawaii Prep’s Jake Schneider booted a penalty kick off the low right post. Schneider was one of the catalysts for Ka Makani’s run to D-I state prominence a year ago.
Schneider brought Ka Makani closer, 2-1, in the 64th minute, but they couldn’t get the equalizer. By the 71st minute, Schneider was done for the night due to a red card after an argument with the center referee.
“It’s a tough tournament, a lot of emotions are running through our head,” Schneider said. “It’s really challenging. What can I say?”
Both goalkeepers made highlight-reel stops in the first half. Hawaii Prep’s Stormer Horton robbed the Raiders’ Brendan Parke after Parke took a solid cross from Micah Kim-Bustillos. ‘Iolani’s Isaak Tanaka saved a tester from Ka Makani’s Ignat Nesposountnii from the left wing after a feed from Conor Hunt.
‘Iolani’s Elijah Brown suffered a serious arm injury and was taken to a hospital by ambulance early in the match.
Kapolei 1, Pearl City 0, OT
The OIA champion and fourth-seeded Hurricanes survived in a defensive battle when Braden Bantolina scored two minutes into overtime to eliminate the Chargers (10-5-1) and push the Hurricanes (13-1) into the semifinals for the third straight season.
Kapolei will play ‘Iolani in tonight’s second semifinal in the first meeting between the two schools at states since the Raiders’ golden goal eliminated the Hurricanes in the 2015 quarterfinals.
Mililani 2, King Kekaulike 0
Two goals by Liam McGehee gave the unseeded Trojans (14-1) a victory over second-seeded and MIL champion Na Alii (8-1-2) and a spot in the semifinals for the first time since 2015.
Mililani will play two-time defending ILH champion Punahou in today’s 5 p.m. semifinal. The Trojans have won three of the last four games against against the Buffanblu in the state tournament.
King Kekaulike is now 3-2 in the state tournament since losing seven in a row from 2000 to 2018.
Punahou 2, Kalani 1
Liam Nichols-Shipley and Dominic Guzman scored first-half goals and the Buffanblu (10-1-2) held off the Falcons (12-3) to reach the semifinals for the seventh consecutive season.
Brison Kim scored in the 56th minute for Kalani to cut the deficit in half.
Punahou had won consecutive state titles in 2016 and ’17 before being eliminated by Baldwin in the semifinals last season.
DIVISION II
Kamehameha-Hawaii 2, Waialua 1, OT
The defending D-II state champion Warriors needed overtime to defeat the Bulldogs. Jonathan DeMotta broke a 1-all tie three minutes into the extra period.
Ezra Sherman had given Waialua (4-9) a one-goal lead in the 63rd minute before Logan Waltjen tied it up for top-seeded and BIIF champion KS-Hawaii (12-5-1).
The Warriors take on a challenge from Kapaa in the semifinals today.
Kalaheo 2, Makua Lani Christian 0
Daniel Fujiwara and Kai Takahashi scored for the OIA D-II champion and second-seeded Mustangs in the quarterfinal victory over the Lions (10-7-1).
Kalaheo (11-2) meets Saint Louis in the semifinals today at 1 p.m.
Kapaa 2, Seabury Hall 1
Kaiana Oliver and Caden Donner gave the KIF champion and fourth-seeded Warriors (10-1-1) a two-goal lead en route to the victory over the Spartans.
Joshua Farwig scored a late goal for Seabury Hall (0-10-1).
Saint Louis 3, Waipahu 0
D’Sean Watson, Skyler Goo and Jonstin Lorenzo all scored in the first half, lifting the ILH D-II champion and second-seeded Crusaders (9-2-2) to a shutout of the Marauders (3-11).
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