The increasing sophistication of high school soccer players is on display in this week's girls state tournament.

All around the state, soccer has been vastly improving, sparked by a combination of high school instruction and an increase in off-season play.

"The level of play is improving across the board," Kamehameha coach Michele Nagamine said.

The benefits of year-round soccer are evident in the way more teams are headed toward pass-first, possession-oriented offenses.

"Our girls are out there playing club ball," Kapolei coach Brian Beck said. "The clubs in Hawai'i are gaining more recognition. I don't think there's a girl on the team who doesn't play outside."

The result is that no team is safe in the state tournament.

"I told my kids that's why soccer is the beautiful game, because on any given day, any team can lose, and any team can win," Nagamine said.

As defending state champions and undefeated winner of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu — long regarded as one of the top leagues in the state — Kamehameha (8-0-2) appears ready with an arsenal of weapons for Nagamine.

"I know how solid they are, and they are incredibly deep on their bench," Beck said. "Going through the ILH undefeated is a great accomplishment."

Beck leads an inexperienced but talented group at Kapolei (11-2-3), the No. 2 seed, which makes its state tournament debut.

King Kekaulike (11-1-2) of Maui, the third seed, and Konawaena (14-1-0) of the Big Island, the fourth seed, enter the tournament as defending league champions.

"I expect all Neighbor Island teams to challenge," Nagamine said. "Teams that don't take them seriously will regret it."

The teams in the Division I tournament, by league:

INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE OF HONOLULU

1, Kamehameha (8-0-2)

Even with balanced scoring, with Jacque Ho and Sanoe Souza scoring six goals apiece and Jennifer Eugenio with five, among ILH leaders, and a defense that allowed four goals in 10 games, Nagamine said it is what happens off the field that is key for the Warriors.

"Our biggest strength is the fact that we have a lot of fun together," Nagamine said. "Our team gets along well and is very cohesive."

BIG ISLAND INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION

1, Konawaena (14-1)

2, Kealakehe (13-2)

3, Hilo (12-4)

Big Island schools are "starting to close the gap," according to Konawaena coach Guy Miranda. "It showed last year when our games were pretty close. We're hoping we do a lot better at states. I think we feel good."

Miranda utilizes his outside defenders as attackers, with the luxury of last year's BIIF Player of the Year, goalkeeper Marissa Minor in the back. Midfielder Jennie Barto and defender Leanna Dahl helped Konawaena allow eight goals in 16 games.

Hilo is a "young team," that is hard to penetrate, Miranda said. Kealakehe is another young team "with great speed," which starts eight or nine freshmen, Miranda said.

O'AHU INTERSCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION

1, Kapolei (11-2-3)

2, Pearl City (11-2-2)

3, Mililani (11-1-3)

4, Kalani (10-4-1)

5, Kaiser (9-3-2)

6, Moanalua (8-5-3)

Kapolei captured its first OIA title Saturday with a double overtime win over Pearl City.

"The hardest thing is getting the girls used to being one of the top seeds," Beck said. "They worked really hard to get it, but people are gunning for us."

"I'm not holding anything back from Kapolei," Miranda said. "They look very dangerous, and you can never count out Mililani, Pearl City, or Moanalua. No easy games over there."

Nagamine, who watched the Chargers and Hurricanes play and said it was a "great game," said Mililani was "impressive" in the OIA playoffs and Kalani has a "feisty attacking style." Kaiser and Moanalua are "the George Ariyoshi teams — quiet but effective."

Kapolei's Liana Gualdarama has 14 goals while Pearl City junior forward Meghan Fuller led the OIA with 20 goals. Mililani is led by the All-State midfield duo of Stephanie Yoro (12 goals) and Natalie Wong (8). Kalani sophomore forward/midfielder Tani Costa scored 14 goals, Kaiser junior forward Rachel Tomita had seven, and Moanalua senior forward Vanessa Butin scored eight.

MAUI INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE

1, King Kekaulike (11-1-2)

2, Kamehameha-Maui (10-2-2)

King Kekaulike is making its seventh straight state tournament appearance. Junior forward Kaylee Kihara is the team's "workhorse" who has scored or assisted in every game, and seniors Alexa Loney and Jenna Pollet "create plays," King Kekaulike coach Gundi Dancil said.

He described Kamehameha-Maui as a "fast and physical" group who likes to play a direct style.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.