SOCCER
Kamehameha hands Punahou first loss
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kamehameha took a huge step toward the Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys soccer title with a 2-0 win over visiting Punahou Friday.
The Warriors (7-0-1) remained the lone undefeated team in the ILH after goals by Kekoa Osorio and Gareth Gomez helped drop the Buffanblu to 7-1-1.
"Our goal was to go undefeated," Osorio said. "Our coach told us not to focus on states. If we won the ILH, then states would take care of itself."
Both teams have two games remaining. Punahou plays Damien and 'Iolani, and Kamehameha plays Saint Louis and Damien.
"We have two more games, and you don't know what's going to happen," Gomez said. "But it's looking pretty good."
Two years ago, Kamehameha was poised to win the ILH but lost to Saint Louis in its last game. The Warriors finished in second, but won the state title. Kamehameha coach Andrew Ah New said he reminded his team about that.
The ILH champion receives an automatic berth into the state tournament. The runner-up must play a game against the runner-up from the Maui Interscholastic League for another spot.
"To beat Punahou was something, and to shut them out was bigger," Ah New said. The Warriors' starting defense consisted of Kainoa Kahui, Kapena Kalehuawehe-Gomes, Kent Kurashima and Kevin Doo.
"We played poorly," Punahou coach Bob Clague said. "Kamehameha deserved the victory. We couldn't put any passes together. We've been dodging bullets all through the season, but Kamehameha hit the bull's-eye."
Osorio scored about 10 minutes into the second half after he settled the ball about 25 yards out on the right side of the field.
He took a low shot, which skidded past the defense and dipped before bouncing into the far left corner of the goal.
"At halftime coach told me to take more shots," Osorio said. "I cut it back and saw I was open, so I shot."
Kimo Komomua assisted on Gomez's goal on a heel pass that slipped straight up the gut of the defense into the 6-yard box, where Gomez was uncontested and scored in the 65th minute.
"He was going away from the goal, and I saw him glance at me, and once he put his foot up I knew he was going to pass it," Gomez said.
The last time the teams met, Kamehameha had a 2-0 lead before Punahou rallied for a 2-2 tie. That was not lost on Ah New.
"They are a dangerous team and can score at any time," Ah New said. "We felt pressure the whole game."
INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE OF HONOLULU
BOYS VARSITY
KAMEHAMEHA 2, PUNAHOU 0
Goals—KS: Kekoa Osorio, Gareth Gomez.
PAC-FIVE 3, 'IOLANI 2
Goals—P5: Auston Goya, Christian Bradley, Aaron Businger. Iol: Eric Fitzmaurice, Brock Granger.
MID-PACIFIC 13, DAMIEN 0
Goals—MPI: Ricky Eber 2, Ryne Shimabukuro 2, Pono Borgess-Akau, Kelsey Ching, Adam Clayson, Chase Heilbron, Alex Meheula, Brandt Kuioka, Marc Obando, Jared Domingo, Michael Wong.
O'AHU INTERSCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION
RED DIVISION TOURNAMENT
GIRLS VARSITY
FIRST ROUND
KALAHEO 3, 'AIEA 2
Goals—Kal: Kahili Cheng 2, Kayleigh Paulin. 'Aiea: Leah Peter-Valdez, own goal.
CASTLE 1, LEILEHUA 0 (2 OT, PK 4-2)
PK—Cast: 1-Aili MacDonald. 2-Johnele Franks. 3-Britt Honma. 4-Tami Kalaiwaa. Lei: 1-Cassey Borromeo. 2-Michelle Nakasone.
KAPOLEI 4, KAHUKU 0
Goals—Kap: Chyanne Alejado, Chaney Lopez, Liana Gualdarama, Chelsea Swann.
MOANALUA 7, WAI'ANAE 1
Goals—Moa: Naomi Shimabuku 3, Jacqueline Wasano, Krystle Winkyaw, Ashley Dolan, Vanessa Butin. Wai: Chelsea Okada.
GIRLS JV
SEMIFINALS
Mililani 1, Kalani 0 (2 OT)
Pearl City 3, Kahuku 0
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.