With the threat of inclement weather a non-event, Kalaheo's Joshua Amoroso provided all the excitement with three goals.

The Mustangs defeated King Kekaulike, 3-1, in first-round action of the JN Automotive Group/HHSAA Boys Division I Soccer State Championships yesterday at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex in sunny weather, despite reports of thunder and lightning hours before the game started.

Kalaheo (11-3-2) advances to play second-seeded Mililani (12-1-2) tonight at 7 in the main stadium.

"It feels good. A couple of years ago we lost in the first round and we just wanted to get through it," said Amoroso, a junior forward.

King Kekaulike (7-4-2), the second team out of the Maui Interscholastic League, struck first on a goal by junior forward Jeremy Freitas Gomes. Junior midfielder Jess Hinton threw in the ball to the near, left post and sophomore forward Logan Bantilan dropped it to Freitas Gomes for the goal in the 24th minute.

A minute later, Kalaheo, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's fifth-place team, answered with Amoroso's first goal. He took a pass from senior defender Victor DeMarco and scored on a breakaway, shooting into the lower, right corner.

"We've been working on switching the ball from east to west to get us a through ball," Amoroso said.

After the Mustangs found success early with Amoroso, they continued to exploit Na Ali'i's flat defense.

"We don't play with a sweeper and I guess it comes with experience," said King Kekaulike coach Andy Makua, who has a young squad. "They need to anticipate those long balls. I guess if you have a guy that fast, it doesn't matter.

"I was more concerned about pressing for a goal."

Amoroso scored twice in the second half, the first on a similar play to his first goal, this time it started with a pass from senior midfielder Andres Garcia in the 54th minute. Amoroso received a through pass and beat a defender to the left before scoring.

Na Ali'i nearly tied the score when senior defender Chevy Castillon took a shot that hit the crossbar in the 62nd minute.

Amoroso scored in the 67th minute after chasing down a punt from Mustangs goalkeeper Jonathan Dew on a counter attack.

Kalaheo coach John Nakagawa stressed to his players after the game that it took all of their efforts for the win.

"(Amoroso) can't do it without everyone else doing their job," Nakagawa said. "The guys know they all have a role to play."

Reach Leila Wai at 535-2457 or lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

DIVISION I

ROOSEVELT 2, MOANALUA 0

Roos — Brad Pena (52nd, 79th).

KAPOLEI 1, HILO 0

Kap — Lyle Santiago (22nd).

KALAHEO 3, KING KEKAULIKE 1

Kala — Joshua Amoroso (25th, 54th, 62nd). KK — Jeremy Gomes (24th).

PUNAHOU 3, KAISER 0

Pun — Alessi Sia (7th), Matthew Walker (38th), Alexander Ching (65th).

DIVISION II

HONOKA'A 1, MCKINLEY 0

Hon — Joshua Robinson (43rd).

KAILUA 2, MAKUA LANI 1 (OT)

Kail — Matthew Nakata (64th), Cameron Lee (89th). ML — Dylan Hardie-Jordan (62nd).

KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAI'I 1, RADFORD 0

KH — Jordan Lerma (56th).

MID-PACIFIC 2, KONAWAENA 0

MPI — Ryne Shimabukuro (15th, 26th).