Kapa‘a faces tough match; No. 2 Kaua‘i plays No. 3 Pac-Five

Both Kaua‘i and Kapa‘a’s girls soccer teams are enjoying a successful run in this year’s JN Automotive/Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association’s Girls Soccer State Championships at the Waipi‘o Soccer Complex.

Kapa‘a’s unranked Lady Warriors (6-3-1) got their second-straight postseason victory yesterday, defeating the defending Division II soccer champs of Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i 3-2. Head coach Colby Ayonon said that he felt the girls handled possession very well and controlled it for the majority of the game. He also said the match got “a little physical in the second half,” but overall, it was a good experience for the younger players.

Kapa‘a’s Kalia Mayer scored two goals for the Lady Warriors — her first in the 19th minute, and her second in the 29th. Kai Zirker scored Kapa‘a’s final goal in the 54th minute. At that point, Kapa‘a was up 3-0. Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i got two late, second-half goals from Jessica Marote, but the team was unable to get another before time expired.

Kapa‘a now faces top-seeded Kailua in the semifinals on Friday. No. 1 Kailua beat Radford 5-2 on Thursday with goals from Ashley Kanoho (2), Tehani Linkner, Tiffany Pereza and Cheyenne Kadooka. Tori Haughton and Kelsey Pacpaco scored for Radford.

No. 2 Kaua‘i won its opening match on Thursday, shutting out Honoka‘a High School of the Big Island 6-0. Kaua‘i had the first round bye because of the high tournament ranking.

Kaua‘i (8-0-1) got two goals each from Ashlyn Ubongen and Skye Shimabukuro, and a goal apiece from Brandi Gomes, and Destiny Banasihan. They also advance to the semifinals to play No. 3 Pac-Five, which earlier in the day, beat Hawai‘i Prep Academy 2-1.

This makes Kaua‘i’s second appearance in the state semifinals in as many years. The winner of each of the two semis played on Friday will advance to the state championship game on Saturday.