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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, January 31, 2009

'Canes pounce on Moanalua

Photo gallery: OIA soccer playoffs

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kapolei utilized a frenetic and energetic pace to defeat Moanalua, 4-1, in one O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Division semifinal game at Roosevelt's Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium last night.

The Hurricanes, the 2007 league champions, return to the title game against defending champion Mililani tonight at 6:30 at Roosevelt.

"Pace is our game, and if we can increase the pace and play at this level, we're hard to beat," Kapolei coach Bryce Kaneshiro said. "It's something we've been stressing. Our touches are crisper and our passes are better."

Kapolei (10-4-1) and Moanalua (8-4-3) have qualified for the HHSAA Division I State Tournament, Feb. 11 to 14 at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

"It feels really good; we proved ourselves," said senior midfielder Justin Malvar, because the Hurricanes were eliminated after the first round in last year's tournament. "We redeemed ourselves."

Kapolei sophomore Kainoa Ke'a scored in the 15th minute on an assist from senior forward Micah Uehara, who controlled the ball inside the 18-yard box and touched the ball behind him to Ke'a, who shot into the goal.

Moanalua sophomore forward Bricen Hue tied it on a shot from near the top of the 18-yard box in the 28th minute.

Uehara put the Hurricanes back on top in the 36th minute when Ke'a sent a long ball across the 18-yard box to Uehara, who chased it down near the endline and sent the ball into the goal.

Kapolei senior defender Jake Glendon scored the third goal in the 63rd minute on assists from senior midfielder Ben Snyder and Malvar. Snyder drove up the left sideline, just managing to stay inbounds. He passed the ball to Malvar, who in turn passed it to Glendon who scored from near the top of the 18-yard box.

Malvar scored his second goal with four minutes remaining after Glendon tracked down a ball on the right sideline and crossed it to senior forward Lyle Santiago, who set up Malvar on one touch right in front of the goal.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.