Advertiser Staff
There are some things in life you can count on. One of them is an end-line to end-line, whistle to whistle battle whenever the Punahou and ‘Iolani boys’ soccer teams play each other.
The two longtime private school rivals, who between them have won 21 state championships, fought to a scoreless tie yesterday at ‘Iolani in a typical take-no-prisoners war.
"It’s always like that," ‘Iolani coach Myles Arakawa said. "I can only remember one time it was ever a blowout."
Yesterday’s standoff enabled Kamehameha to jump into first place in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. The Warriors routed Mid-Pacific, 8-0, yesterday — their second straight eight-goal game — to improve to 4-1 with 12 championship points (three per victory, one per tie).
‘Iolani, the defending state champion, has three wins, no losses and scoreless ties in its last two games for 11 points. Punahou is 3-1-1 for 10 points.
Kamehameha plays at ‘Iolani on Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. as the ILH reaches the halfway point of its season.
The closest either team came to goals was in the final eight minutes when Punahou banged two shots off the steel bars that hold the goal. One caromed off the cross bar above the goal and the other slammed into the upright on the right side and pinged back onto the field.
The last attempt, by Charles Rania during extra time, was the hardest shot of the game. "I ran down a throw-in at about the six and went for the near post," Rania said. He missed by perhaps an inch.
At the 74-minute mark, Sean Akamine hit the cross bar with a free kick from 25 yards. "I tried to bend it into the upper right corner," he said. He got it over the goalkeeper’s head, but not quite under the bar.
OIA EAST
 Kalaheo boys hold on: Kalaheo barely held onto its lead yesterday and the O‘ahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division boys’ race is going to go down to this week’s final games.
Kalaheo was tied by Kalani, 2-2, to set Kalaheo’s record at six wins, one loss and two ties for 20 championship points. Castle and Kaiser both won to move into a tie for second with 19 points, and Kalani fell to fourth with 18 points.
Kalaheo, Kaiser or Castle could win the division championship and Kalani could share it depending on the outcome of season-ending games Wednesday and Thursday.
Kalaheo plays at Kaiser on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the key game. A Kalaheo win gives the title to the Mustangs. A Kaiser win or a tie opens the door for the others.
Kalani tied the game at Kalaheo in the final 10 minutes when Grant Arakaki took a pass from the outside halfback, broke through the center of Kalaheo’s defense and shot from 12 yards into the lower right corner of the goal.
Kalani nearly won it on a free kick in the final two minutes, but it sailed just wide left. "At the angle from our bench, everybody thought it was in and started cheering, but it just missed and hit the fence behind the goal," Kalani coach Greg Van Cantfort said.
Kailua was mathematically eliminated from the championship despite winning yesterday, but the Surfriders will be one of the six Eastern Division teams going into the OIA Tournament Jan. 26 to Feb. 3.
Interscholastic League of Honolulu
Boys Varsity
Kamehameha 8, Mid-Pacfic 0. David Gualdarama 2, Nathan Silva 2, Brandon Tario 1, Matthew Beimes 1, Jacob Lovell 1, Daniel Unga 1.
St. Louis 5, Damien 0. Nicholas Tudisco, Pase Fiafeu, Keisuki Yasuda, Joseph Revilla, own goal.
‘Iolani 0, Punahou 0
O‘ahu Interscholastic Association
Eastern Division
Boys Varsity
Kalaheo 2, Kalani 2. Kalah-Warren Pitts, Ikaika Hollinger. Kalan-Grant Arakaki, Keaka Lee.
Castle 3, Kahuku 2. Cast-Nolan Miranda 2, Charlie Chiswick 1. Kah-Sena Fonoimoana, Tali Tolutou.
Kaimuki 2, McKinley 1. Kaim-Jared Shirai, Troy Uehera. McK-Jason Tom.
Kaiser 2, Moanalua 1. Kais-Kai Young, Brandon Self. Moan-Breland Pedro.
Kailua 10, Farrington 0. Kail-Keoni Crites 3, DJ Coles 2, Roland Takashita 2, Stan Drapefa 1, Chayne Nakata 1, Tanni Wolfgramm 1.
Girls Varsity
Kalaheo 1, Kalani 1. Kalah-Lindsey Peck. Kalan-Jillian Okamoto.
Kahuku 3, Castle 1. Kah-Jasmine Ladao, Natasha Kai, Anna Myers. Cast-Jodee Tanaka.
Kaimuki 2, McKinley 1. Kaim-Cheri Kishimoto, NIcole Takaemoto. McK-Sandra Au.
Kaiser 1, Moanalua 0. Kais-Allison Lee.
Girls JV
Kahuku defeats Castle by forfeit.
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