Kamehameha-Maui opens with soccer victory

By Fred Guzman

There will be two MIL teams competing in today’s quarterfinal round of the state girls Division-I soccer tournament and both are facing major challenges against highly-regarded opponents from Oahu’s powerful private-school ILH.

At 3 p.m., third-seeded Baldwin, which compiled a 15-0-1 league record, will open its tournament bid against an Iolani team that finished second the ILH.

The Raiders advanced with a decisive 3-0 win over Kapolei, scoring all of their goals in the first half. Senior forward Krystal Pascua had two goals and freshman forward Khaye Villanueva had the other.

At 5 o’clock, Kamehameha-Maui faces perhaps an even more daunting challenge. The Warriors, who finished just behind Baldwin in the MIL race with a 14-1-1 record, will meet top-seed Punahou, which won the ILH title.

Kamehameha-Maui advanced by defeating Kaiser 1-0. Junior striker Makana Pundyke scored the goal midway through the second half on an assist by freshman Lily Higashino.

In Division-II action today, MIL champion Seabury Hall opens against Mid-Pacific at 3 p.m. while St. Anthony, coming off a 2-0 opening loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii, plays a 1 p.m. consolation game against Radford.

All matches are being played at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.

Goals by Harper Hottendorf and Codi Kualii lifted Kamehameha-Hawaii to the win over St. Anthony, which finished second in the MIL regular season.

Mid-Pacific, which also competes in the powerful ILH, opened with a 4-1 romp past Kalaheo as Taylor Higa accounted for two f her team’s goals.

In other D-I action yesterday, Kahuku stunned Moanalua 1-0 in overtime while Pearl City beat Kealakehe 2-0 to set up the following quarterfinal matchups: fourth-seeded Hilo versus Kahuku at 1 p.m. and second-seeded Mililani versus Pearl City at 7 p.m.

In other D-II matches played yesterday, Makua Lani of the Big Island beat Waipahu 4-2 and Honokaa blanked Radford 3-0.

That means Makua Lani, featuring a roster of just 13 players, will tangle with top-seeded Hawaii Prep in a battle of Big Island teams today. Meantime, Honokaa, also of the Big Island, will face third-seeded Kauai and Kamehameha-Hawaii will test second-seeded Leilehua.

Closer to home, the MIL’s second berth in the boy’s D-I state tournament is up for grabs today as Baldwin visits Maui High and Lahainaluna travels to Seabury. The two visitors are tied for second place, with Baldwin owning the tie-breaker bases on head-to-head competition.