Waialua sweeps up White honors
By Leila Wai
| |||
The Waialua boys soccer team swept through its competition this season, and after it ended, swept the postseason awards as well.
Midfielder Kamalei Rosa and forward Branden Galapia were named the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Division Co-Players of the Year, and coach John Rosa was selected as the Coach of the Year in a vote by league coaches.
The Bulldogs went 10-0-0 in the regular season behind the play of Galapia, who scored 12 goals, and the multi-talented Rosa, who scored five goals and played where ever the Bulldogs needed him.
The Bulldogs placed five on the 12-person first team. Waialua also placed midfielder Anthony Sato, and defenders Kainoa Rosa and Arthur "AJ" Hernandez III.
Sato tied with Galapia for the team lead with 12 goals, and Kainoa Rosa and Hernandez, who scored five and six, respectively, led a Bulldogs defense that allowed four goals in 10 games.
Kailua's Mathew Nakata and Radford's Christopher Nichols are the first-team forwards. Nakata scored a division-high 14 goals and Nichols scored 11.
The first-team midfielders, along with Kamalei Rosa and Saito, are Waipahu's Vinson Nana and Kailua's Jesus Gallardo.
Waipahu's Shane Balanay and Kaimuki's Bryant Ortiz round out the first-team defenders and Bulldogs Yeong Lee was the first-team goalkeeper.
Nakata and Galapia, who transferred from Kahuku, are repeat first-team selections.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.