Both Kapaa and Kauai high schools’ varsity girls soccer teams advanced to the semifinals of the 2019 The Queen’s Medical Center Girls Soccer Championships–Division II state tournament.
In the quarterfinals Thursday, No. 2 seed Kauai defeated Makua Lani Christian Academy of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation, 8-0, and Kapaa upset No. 4 Kalaheo High School of the Oahu Interscholastic Association, 1-0, at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex on Oahu.
“I think we came out with the understanding that this game was a big game for us,” said Kauai head coach Auika Metcalfe in a phone interview. “We definitely enjoyed the bye. It gave us an opportunity to compose ourselves a little bit and prepare for today. I think the girls really took today, and we just played our game.”
Kauai High’s Kehela Ventura netted a hat trick and Mia Takekuma bagged a brace in Thursday’s win over Makua Lani. Cheyann Fujii, Eryka Napoleon and Adriana Hernandez each also scored for the Red Raiders.
Kauai will play Hawaii Preparatory Academy of the BIIF in the semifinals at 1 p.m. today at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex. Hawaii Prep — winner of the last five Division II girls soccer state championships — defeated No. 3 Pac-Five of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu in the quarterfinals, 3-0.
“We’re just looking forward to playing our style. We’re just moving to come off strong with high tempo, very quick, and just working as a unit,” Metcalfe said. “We’re excited. It’s always a challenge when we go up against HPA. But I think with the girls that we have, we’ll give them a good run, and we’ll see what tomorrow brings us.”
Kapaa’s Dina Hayes, after scoring two goals in the opening round Wednesday, scored the game-winning goal for the Warriors in the second half.
“The girls came out, stepped onto that field and knew that they could compete and come out with a victory,” said Kapaa head coach Andrea Alfiler. “They, again, played with a lot of grit. Played really concise and came up big defensively. Our center midfielder, Mehana Kamalani, she was all over the field today, and our back line really did a good job of covering for each other.”
Kapaa will face No. 1 Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii of the BIIF in the semifinals at 3 p.m. today. KS-Hawaii topped Sacred Hearts Academy of the ILH on Thursday, 1-0.
“It’s exciting to play in the main stadium on a beautifully manicured field, and against the No. 1 seed,” Alfiler said. “Some of our girls have played with some of those girls. So, just looking forward to some familiar competition for some of them. And as we continue in this tournament, (we’ll) continue to grow with that competitive, winning mindset and continue to be on this roll.”
Thursday’s Division II results
Match 5 (consolation): Seabury Hall (MIL) 3, Leilehua (OIA) 0; Seabury Hall: Kalena Pfaeltzer 2 (40’, 54’), Madelyn Dougherty (45’)
Match 6 (consolation): Waianae (OIA) 1, Waialua (OIA) 0, penalty kicks
Match 7 (quarterfinals): No. 1 KS-Hawaii (BIIF) 1, Sacred Hearts (ILH) 0; KS-Hawaii: Nanea Wong Yuen (46’)
Match 8 (quarterfinals): Kapaa (KIF) 1, No. 4 Kalaheo (OIA) 0; Kapaa: Dina Hayes (54’)
Match 9 (quarterfinals): No. 2 Kauai (KIF) 8, Makua Lani (BIIF) 0; Kauai: Kehela Ventura 3 (2’, 41’, 54’), Mia Takekuma 2 (6’, 39’), Cheyann Fujii (10’), Eryka Napoleon (43’), Adriana Hernandez (77’)
Match 10 (quarterfinals): Hawaii Prep (BIIF) 3, No. 3 Pac-Five (ILH) 0; Hawaii Prep: Angela Cipriano 2 (9’, 31’), Bella Police (10’)
Info from Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
