Now Kapolei coach Bryce Kaneshiro can eat that portuguese sausage and brisket plate.

The Kapolei boys soccer team won its first O'ahu Interscholastic Association boys championship with a 3-1 win over Kalani last night at Kapolei High School.

"This is a special group of players," said Kaneshiro, who before the game said he would not eat the plate before the game because last year he ate it before the championship game and Kapolei lost.

Kapolei senior forward Aaron Santiago scored two goals and senior midfielder Kainoa Bryant added one for the Hurricanes. Kapolei (12-2-0), Kalani (9-4-1), third-place Leilehua, fourth-place Kalaheo and fifth-place Roosevelt all qualified for the state tournament.

"It feels good," Santiago said. "Last year we fell short and we weren't going to let it happen again."

Bryant scored in the fourth minute on a throw-in from senior forward Curtis Kiyabu.

"That first goal was a confidence booster," Kaneshiro said.

Kalani tied the game at 1 on a goal by Tyler Eng, who blasted a ball to the far left post that pinged off the goalpost and into the goal in the 20th minute.

"After they tied, that kind of took us out of our game," Kaneshiro said.

A minute before the end of the half, Kapolei senior forward Aaron Santiago scored on a long pass from the right side of the field to the left from senior Keoki Haole to put the Hurricanes back up, 2-1.

"We were looking for an opportunity like that," Kaneshiro said. "Especially with Aaron's speed.

"That was key for us. Any goal right before half is a good momentum shift."

Santiago said "it's pretty much my job," to chase down long passes from his teammates.

Santiago scored his second goal on a cross from sophomore midfielder Justin Malvar, who sent a looping ball into the 18-yard box that bounced over the Kalani goalkeeper's head. Santiago finished the play on a header into the open goal with two minutes left in the game.

"I just saw it bounce off the goalkeeper's head and I ran," said Santiago, who was wearing a wristband that his girlfriend Chyanne Alejado wore in the game before, when she helped the Kapolei girls soccer team win its first championship. "I see it as good luck," he said.

"It got us pumped," said Santiago of watching the girls win.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.