Three-way tie for first place in ILH soccer

By Leila Wai
Special to the Advertiser

Eight wins, one loss, two ties.

These are the records of the top three boys soccer teams — Iolani, Kamehameha and Punahou — in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu following yesterday's games.

Things became clouded and clustered when Iolani and Kamehameha played to a 2-2 tie and Punahou defeated Damien, 9-0, in games at Kapi'olani Park.

"The ILH is normally a tight race all the way, so every game in the league is important, no matter who you are playing," said Iolani assistant coach Chris Lee.

Hundreds of fans surrounded both fields, but most eyes were turned to the game featuring the Warriors and Raiders.

They didn't disappoint.

The Warriors struck first when Alika Ahnew deflected an indirect kick that was taken just outside the penalty box just past goalie Jason Keanini 18 minutes into the game.

The Raiders tied it at the 31-minute mark when Duke Hashimoto outran Kamehameha defenders to put back a far-left shot taken by Eaton O'Neill.

O'Neill one-timed a bouncing ball that put Iolani ahead, 2-1, in the 56th minute.

"I think the goal re-energized us, but I guess it was not enough to hold off Kamehameha," said Lee.

With three minutes remaining, Brandon Tario struck a long archer into the penalty box that eventually found the foot of Kekoa Smith, who nailed the ball into the far left netting of the goal.

"Everybody was pushing to do their best," Smith said. "(Tario) had a nice cross and I just put it in the net."

Kamehameha's air assault seemed to work, as the Warriors got off cross after cross, sending balls across the face of the goal.

Iolani, although managing to string up several passes, had a tougher time with its possession game on the hard Kapi'olani field, which sent their ground balls bouncing into the air.

"It's exciting," said Kamehameha coach Andrew Ahnew. "I'm really happy that we came from behind.

"I would have paid to watch this game."

Tomorrow, Kamehameha and Punahou face off, while Iolani takes on St. Louis.

If Kamehameha and Punahou play to a tie and Iolani beats St. Louis, the Raiders will win the title.

If either Kamehameha or Punahou wins, and Iolani wins, the two winners will play off for the ILH's assured state tournament berth. The second-place team will play the second-place team from the Maui Interscholastic League for a state berth.

"Now we just have to see where everything falls," said Lee.

• PUNAHOU 9, DAMIEN 0: Christopher Rania scored three goals and Satoshi Matsuda two, powering the Buffanblu over the Monarchs at Kapi'olani Field.

Marcus Asahina, Alexander Wolff, Kenan Knieriem and Callum Trigg-Smith contributed one goal each for Punahou.

• ST. LOUIS 1, MID-PACIFIC 0: Dom Jovanni Cueve scored to lead the Crusaders over the Owls at St. Louis.