WAIPAHU — The Big Island finally has its first soccer state championship, courtesy of Kamehameha-Hawai'i's 2-0 victory over Roosevelt last night in the JN Automotive Division II title game at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

Junior forward Jessica Marote scored on a rebound in the 74th minute and Bryanna De Lima sealed it on a short goal in the 80th to help the Warriors complete an undefeated regular and postseason at 17-0.

"This is really big, I just found out that it never did happen for a Big Island team before," Marote said. "We did it for our school and for the whole island."

Marote created a lot of opportunities in a first half mostly dominated by Kamehameha-Hawai'i, which out-shot the Rough Riders 4-1 in the first 40 minutes. In the 12th minute, Pua Hall took a shot from about 25 yards out on the right side that hit the back post, and Natasha Ah Chong was there for a short rebound attempt, but it went just wide.

"We should have taken more shots (in the first half), but I think we were just nervous and we were making too many passes instead of shooting," Marote said.

The Rough Riders (14-2) came out stronger in the second half and managed four shots on goal.

"I thought in the first 20 to 25 minutes (after halftime), they owned it," said Warriors coach Charles Heaukulani. "Our midfield was collapsing a little bit, so we dropped Pua back into the middle."

Kamehameha-Hawai'i got the momentum back late in the half, and in the 74th minute Hall took a hard shot from the right side, similar to the one in the first half.

Roosevelt keeper Joy Nakahara dived to her right to make the save, but the ball deflected to the back post, where Marote was there to punch it in.

"I just had to settle the ball down and keep the shot low, because their keeper has good hands," Marote said.

Even with the 1-0 lead, the Warriors kept the offensive pressure on, and in the 80th minute Ah Chong took a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar, and De Lima was there in front of the goal to punch it in.

"I thought the girls might relax after we scored the first goal, but they kept pushing hard," Heaukulani said. "This is huge for us, because if you look at this season, it actually was five years in the making. Five years ago, we didn't even have a soccer program at our school.

"And for the Big Island, in the past, it was not unusual for our teams to have short stays at the state tournament. Hopefully, this will be a big boost not just for our school, but also for Big Island soccer."

THIRD PLACE

Kaua'i 6, Campbell 0: Jaezelle Balilea scored two goals and Skye Shimabukuro, Teal Basquez, Brandi Gomes and Jolene Lee-Hormstein each added one for the Red Raiders (8-4-1).

Goal scorers—Kau: Jaezelle Balilea (22nd), Skye Shimabukuro (28th), Teal Basquez (34th), Balilea (47th), Brandi Gomes (60th), Jolene Lee-Hormstein (72nd).

FIFTH PLACE

Honoka'a 2, St. Anthony 1: Beverly Quiamas scored two goals, including one in the 50th minute which broke a 1-1 tie for the Dragons (9-8).

Kristen Orth scored for the Trojans (7-9-2).

Goal scorers—Hono: Beverly Quiamas (32nd), Quiamas (50th). StA: Kristen Orth (20th).

CONSOLATION FINAL

Hawai'i Prep 3, Sacred Hearts 1: Bridget Walker, Amelia Evans and Vanessa Cushnie scored for Ka Makani (11-6).

Ariel Pahayahay scored for the Lancers (3-10-1).

Goal scorers—HPA: Bridget Walker (18th), Amelia Evans (28th), Vanessa Cushnie (58th). SHA: Ariel Pahayhay (37th).

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.