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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Kapolei, Kalani advance to OIA boys soccer final

OIA boys soccer semifinals photo gallery

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kalani’s Dylan Taschner (16) hugs Tyler Eng (19) after Eng scored the winning goal in the second overtime to beat Kaläheo, 2-1, Tuesday night at the Moanalua High School field to advance to the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship game.

Photos by REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Leilehua's Aric Edra stepped in to gain control of the ball from Kapolei's Curtis Kiyabu in the first half.

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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.

"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 for the championship Saturday at Kapolei High School at 6 p.m.

"This is where we wanted to be. From last year our goal was to win the OIA," Kaneshiro said of the Hurricanes, who are playing in their second straight title game. "Our field is really nice. I think it's the best place in the state. The guys know it, and they're comfortable on it."

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

Kiyabu, who played with an injured left ankle and left hamstring, is a "gamer," said Kaneshiro, who usually plays Kiyabu at both midfield and forward depending on where they need him.

Kiyabu, who led the Western Division with 16 goals in the regular season and has three in the postseason, said his role is to "step up and make sure everyone's head is in the game. I have to do whatever I can to help the team."

Kapolei senior forward Aaron Santiago scored in the 23rd minute on an assist from Kiyabu. Kiyabu sent a long ball down the right sideline to 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.

"I saw him running so I played him down the line, and he did what he's supposed to do," Kiyabu said.

Kiyabu, who estimated he played at 65 to 70 percent, 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.

"You can't just give him space," Leilehua coach Carl Friedl said. "He can crack a shot, and he's dangerous."

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

The Mules (9-2-0) played without senior defender Bryant Moniz because of an ankle sprain in the first half, which Friedl said was a "huge" loss.

"He locked everything down in the back," said Friedl, who had to shift some offensive players to defensive roles.

But Friedl said Kapolei "just played harder. They beat us."

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 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.

"Kalaheo showed they can come back," Kalani coach Myles Arakawa said. "I give John (Nakagawa) a lot of credit. They made it a good game. They didn't roll over and die. We had a lot of opportunities, but like the rest of the season, couldn't put it in."

CONSOLATION

MILILANI 1, MOANALUA 0

Goal—Mili: Kelsey Kikugawa.

ROOSEVELT 2, 'AIEA 0

Goals—Roos: Dean Kurihara 2.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.