Kapaa High School’s varsity boys soccer team advanced to the championship match of the 2018 The Queen’s Medical Center Boys Soccer Championships – Division II state tournament.
The No. 2 seeded Warriors defeated No. 3 McKinley of the Oahu Interscholastic Association, 4-nil, in the semifinals Friday at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.
“They did well. Just knowing that we had the best draw in the tournament, to be able to get to where we are, but it’s great that the boys will have this experience to draw on next year,” said Kapaa head coach Kevin Cram in a phone interview. “I think it will help make us better.”
Kapaa will play Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation in the championship match today at 5 p.m. at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex. KS-Hawaii defeated Pac-Five of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu on penalty kicks, 2-1, Friday in the semifinals.
A Warriors win would bring the school its third Division II boys soccer state championship. Kapaa won its previous state titles in 2009 and 2013.
“It will definitely be a challenge. Whether we win or lose, it will still have been a good experience for the boys,” Cram said. “I just look at it as an experiential-type thing regardless of what the outcome is.”
Kapaa took a 1-nil lead into halftime. Warriors sophomore forward Jacob Espi scored at the 27th minute before the team scored three goals in the second half.
“One advantage I think we have is the number of players we have on our squad,” Cram said. “We were able to bring players in and out and stay fresh, whereas both of our opponents the last two games had been limited in numbers. I think the key factor has played our part. So in the second half, we got some fresh players that have not worked as hard, and they’re hyped up wanting to make something happen.”
In the team’s two matches at states, Kapaa has not allowed an opposing goal.
“I think our defense is further ahead overall in the style of play than our offense is,” Cram said. “Our defense has been able to keep the ball out of our goal, and that’s been a good thing. That will probably play a big part in the play tomorrow night — our defense being able to keep the ball out of the net.”
Information from Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
Friday’s Division II results
Match 5 (consolation): Kalaheo (OIA) 3, Seabury (MIL) 2; Kalaheo: Jack Lemonds (28’), Teo Stohler (56’), Shayne Parnell (75’); Seabury: Louie Smith (21’), Jonathan Merchant (79’)
Match 6 (consolation): Honokaa (BIIF) 3, Waipahu (OIA) 2 (PK); Honokaa: Yo Bostwick (2’, 27’); Waipahu: Isaiah Harris (54’), Jacob Harris (61’)
Match 7 (semifinal): No. 2 Kapaa (KIF) 4, No. 3 McKinley (OIA) 0; Kapaa: Jacob Espi (27’), Gabe Franklin (43’), Sage Ioanna (49’), Kahanu Davis (79’)
Match 8 (semifinal): No. 1 KS-Hawaii (BIIF) 2, No. 4. Pac-Five (ILH) 1 (2OT/PK); KS-Hawaii: David Erskine (57’); Pac-Five: Aiden Spagnoli (45’)
