Kalaheo, Moanalua advance in OIA
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
On the football field, Kalaheo's Nate Johnson tries to kick the ball through the bright yellow goal posts.
On the soccer field last night, he tried to find the guy with the bright yellow shoes.
Jonathan Rodriguez scored on a free kick from Johnson in the 85th minute as Kalaheo beat Kapolei, 1-0, in the first round of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Boys Red Conference championships at Pearl City.
Johnson sent a free kick from 35 yards out on the right side to a streaking Rodriguez just in front of the left post. Rodriguez, who wears bright yellow shoes, kneed the ball into the bottom left of the goal.
"I can just spot him out anywhere. He's got his bright shoes and stuff," Johnson said.
Rodriguez said he caught the Kapolei defense off-guard by sprinting toward the goal as Johnson was getting ready to take the free kick.
"They didn't pay attention," Rodriguez said. "They were looking at Nate and a little bit off."
East No. 4 Kalaheo (8-4-1) plays West champion and host Mililani (10-1-1) tonight at 7 in the quarterfinals.
It was a disappointing end for West No. 5 Kapolei (3-6-4), the defending OIA champion.
"They had size and speed on us, but our guys did a pretty good job," said Kapolei coach Bryce Kaneshiro. "We just had a breakdown on one play. We didn't follow the guy on a run and that's something we've had a problem with."
MOANALUA 2, PEARL CITY 1
Moanalua freshman Bricen Hue was "real nervous" as he stepped to the penalty-kick spot with the game on the line against host Pearl City.
But he followed his teammates' advice perfectly, placing his kick to the top right corner of the goal to clinch Na Menehune's 2-1 (4-3 on penalty kicks) win over the Chargers.
"I was real nervous," Hue said. "My teammates told me to be confident, aim for that corner, whichever corner you want."
Hue added he normally shoots down the middle.
Justin Watanabe (first shooter), Keenan Lee (second), Kelsey Tsutsui (fourth) and Hue (fifth) made their penalty kicks for East No. 6 Moanalua (5-6-2).
Na Menehune will play East runner-up Kaiser (8-4) at 5:15 p.m. today at Mililani.
Moanalua goal keeper Aaron Haque made a save against Pearl City's second shooter and the third sent the ball wide right.
"I'm very confident in my abilities for PKs. That's what I do best," Haque said.
Pearl City's Cheuk Ho, Lane Natori and Chase Pacupac made their penalty shots.
Bolosan scored in the 42nd minute for West No. 3 Pearl City (5-3-4). Watanabe tied it with a penalty kick in the 62nd minute.
Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.
O'AHU INTERSCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION
RED DIVISION, FIRST ROUND (OTHER RESULTS)
KALANI 1, WAIALUA 0
Goal—Kaln: Joshua Nichols.
ROOSEVELT 2, LEILEHUA 1
Goals—Roos: Keenan Seguancia, Alex Fowler. Lei: Micah Uehara.
WHITE DIVISION, FIRST ROUND
MCKINLEY 3, NANAKULI 1
Goals—McK: Daniel Finau 2, Eric Claunch. Nana: Jordan Lopes.
KAHUKU 4, WAIPAHU 0
Goals—Kah: Noble Crowell 2, Ryan Oei, Villiami Pasi.
FARRINGTON 1, CAMPBELL 0 OT
Goal—Farr: Bryce Miyasato.
KAILUA 2, WAI'ANAE 0
Goals—Kail: Matthew Nakata, James Crowell.
Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.