WAIPI'O — The Vikings held on and moved on in the pool.

Lauren Van Heukelem scored four goals to lead the Hilo High School water polo team to an 8-7 win over Roosevelt in the first round of the Local Motion Hawai'i High School Athletic Association state water polo championship at the Veterans' Memorial Aquatic Center, yesterday.

The Vikings (8-3) advance to face fourth-seeded Lahainaluna (10-0) in today's quarterfinals.

"We're just happy we got here as a team," said Hilo's Eva Avery, who scored two goals. "Our goal is to play the best we can and focus on defense."

The Vikings led 8-3 late in the third quarter before the Rough Riders (14-3) rallied down the stretch. Both teams had opportunities in the fourth quarter to either pull ahead or close the deficit, but neither could convert. Roosevelt missed twice with less than 30 seconds remaining.

"They played great," Avery said. "Their offense was great and they were driving a lot."

Hilo led 4-1 midway through the second quarter with three goals from Van Heukelem and one from Avery. The Vikings led 5-1 at halftime after a goal from Nina Jeffrey with 15 seconds left in the second quarter.

"We built momentum," Van Heukelem said. "We got over enthused and lost it a bit. We almost lost in the end, but we played strong defensively."

Roosevelt scored twice late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 8-5 behind goals from Patrice Dang and Rachel Gomes. Gomes said her team's cheering boosted everyone's confidence.

"It's amazing how we got back from that many goals down," Gomes. "We still stuck with our game."

The Rough Riders continued to rally in the fourth. A goal by Taesha-Marie Keola and another by Bori Stoytcheva with 1:28 remaining made it 8-7. Stoytcheva led the Rough Riders with three goals.

"Roosevelt came back strong, much like they have done in the past" Hilo coach Ron Koehler said.

KAMEHAMEHA 15, LEILEHUA 6

Ashlee Ako scored five goals and Nanea Fujiyama scored four goals as the Warriors advanced past the Mules.

Kamehameha led 6-0 to start the game and 10-2 at halftime. The Warriors (7-4) face third-seeded Kamehameha-Hawai'i (10-1) in today's quarterfinals.

Krystina Navarro led the Mules (11-6) with three goals and Brittany Sweeney added two.

KALANI 7, KAMEHAMEHA-MAUI 6

Tina Pulu scored the game-winning goal with 28 seconds remaining to lift the Falcons over the Warriors.

Kaila Garcia led the Falcons (12-5) with four goals and Pulu added three. Kalani will face second-seeded Kahuku (17-0) in today's quarterfinals.

Kaleiopio Guth and Victoria-Elle Crozier scored two goals each for the Warriors (7-4). Kaulana Ane and Su Lun Guth added a goal each.

KAPOLEI 9, MILILANI 6

Kanani Mazzone scored five goals as the Hurricanes advanced to today's quarterfinals against top-seeded Punahou (8-0).

Alexandra Jamora scored twice and Rhogelyn Espino and Maddie Jamora added a goal each for Kapolei(12-5).

Valentina Knudson scored four goals for the Trojans (9-8) and Alex Daley and Ashlee Franklin had a goal each.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

GAME 1

KAPOLEI 9, MILILANI 6

Goal scorers—Kap: Alexandra Jamora 2, Kanani Mazzone 5, Rhogelyn Espino, Maddie Jamora. Mili: Alex Daley, Valentina Knudson 4, Ashlee Franklin.

GAME 2

KALANI 7, KAMEHAMEHA-MAUI 6

Goal scorers—Kalan: Kaila Garcia 3, Tina Pulu 4. KSM: Victoria-Elle Crozier 2, Kaulana Ane, Kaleipio Guth 2, Su Lun Guth.

GAME 3

HILO 8, ROOSEVELT 7

Goal scorers—Hilo: Lauren Van Heukelem 4, Eva Avery 2, Nina Jeffrey, Mandy Kaapuni. Roos: Bori Stoytcheva 3, Rachel Gomes 2, Patrice Dang, Taesha-Marie Keola.

GAME FOUR

KAMEHAMEHA-O'AHU 15, LEILEHUA 6

Goal scorers—KS: Nanea Fujiyama 4, Ashlee Akeo 5, Kehau Ai 2, Seanna Pieper-Jordan, Emma Broderick, Remy Hirai, Keala Gabriel. Lei: Krystina Navarro 3, Brittany Sweeney 2, Robyn Araki.