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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 9:48 p.m., Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Kapolei, Kalani reach OIA boys soccer title match

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

All season long Kapolei senior forward Curtis Kiyabu has been a go-to player for the Hurricanes.

He showed why Tuesday night with two goals and an assist in a 3-0 win over Leilehua in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association semifinals at Moanalua High School.

"Curtis is a special player," Kapolei coach Bryce Kaneshiro said. "He has a lot of heart and leaves everything on the field. He demands perfection from the other guys."

Kapolei (10-2-0) and Kalani (9-3-1), a 2-1 winner over Kalaheo in double overtime, meet up for the championship Saturday at Kapolei High School at 6 p.m.

All four semifinalists earned state tournament berths. A fifth berth is also awarded to the OIA.

Kiyabu led the Western division with 16 goals in the regular season and has added three in the postseason.

Kapolei senior forward Aaron Santiago scored in the 23rd minute on an assist from Kiyabu. Kiyabu sent a long ball down the right sideline for Santiago, who controlled it near the top of the 18-yard box, beat a defender and drove his shot, which the goalkeeper touched but could not stop.

Kiyabu scored his first goal after receiving a ball from freshman midfielder Blake Abes about 25 yards out and blasting a shot that tucked into the left netting of the goal in the 52nd minute.

Kiyabu scored his second goal in the 69th minute with a header on a throw-in from Mychal Malachi from the right side.

KALANI 2, KALAHEO 1

Junior Tyler Eng scored with 42 seconds remaining in the second overtime to lift the Falcons into their first OIA title game.

Eng was set up by sophomore midfielder Danny Higa, whose pass led Eng into the 18-yard box, where his shot slid beneath the Kalaheo goalkeeper.

Higa scored in regulation, controlling a ball just beyond the top of the 18-yard box arch and shot into the left corner as time was running out in the first half.

Kalaheo (7-2-4) senior forward/midfielder Dylan Eichelberger tied the game in the 76th minute after he chased down a long ball and shot into the open net, as the Kalani goalkeeper was coming out to challenge him.