BIIF Soccer: Vikings advance to state semifinals

Michael DeCoito scored for Hilo High on Thursday when Aiea wasn’t paying attention, but his free kick wasn’t the only surprise at the HHSAA Division I boys’ soccer tournament.

The field at Oahu‘s Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex was turned on its head as the ILH and OIA champions fell in dramatic fashion, leaving the Vikings as the top seed.

The Vikings controlled possession early and saved Na Alii late. With a 2-1 win, the Vikings shot to the state semifinals for the first time in 21 years.

“I told them before this game that you came as a BIIF champion, show why, play your best football,” said coach George Ichimaru.

Kani Tolentino-Perry set up Leha Harman’s goal in the 29th minute, his best 23rd goal, for a 2-0 lead. That became a key insurance goal after Kelly Takara scored for Aiea in the second half. Hilo made sure his OIA foe didn’t equalize.

“The defensive line held up really well,” Ichimaru said. “Maximum effort and focus, that had to be my favorite part.”

Winner of 11 straight, third-placed Hilo will play Kaiser in the semifinals at 5pm on Friday at Radford High in a match that will be broadcast on Spectrum OC16.

After their victory, the Vikings watched as chaos ensued. Kaiser defeated second-place Mililani on penalties and Kalani edged out top-seeded Punahou in PKs. The Falcons, who face No. 4 King Kekaulike in the semifinals, are the only team in the field to have won a state title.

King Kekaulike also advanced in PKs and beat Kapolei.

Hilo reached the final in 2001 under coach Don Memmer and finished second. The Vikings had not advanced in the winners class since Thursday.

“One game at a time,” Ichimaru said. “We can’t worry about how long it’s been.”

Department II

#1 Hawaii Prep 3, Roosevelt 0: Aidan Santos scored a goal in each half, bringing his goal total to 21, while Ka Makani crossed paths with the only quarterfinal shutout in both divisions.

Santos also assisted in Khabele Tau’s goal for the HPA, who will take on Seabury Hall in the semi-finals in Waipio on Friday at 3pm.

“I really liked how we limited them to just two real chances in the second half,” said coach Adam Christodoulou. “We controlled the pace at which the game was played, especially in the first half.”

Dominick Didonato and Nate Heilmann also provided assists, and Logan Waiau kept clean sheets.

Kamehameha 3, No. 3 Le Jardin 1: Everton Kuamoo got the go-ahead in the second half as the BIIF runners-up Warriors advanced to the semifinals.

Elijah Dinkel scored the team-best goal with his 18th goal after Lucas Kay-Wong hit the back of the net in the first half. Kamehameha plays second-placed Island School at 1 p.m. on Friday.

“We took our chances,” said Warriors coach Gene Okamura. “Think we had some opportunities to improve in the first 20 minutes but didn’t take advantage of it. … and in the second half we converted our chances.”