The outcome was never in doubt.
Mid-Pacific scored four first-half goals on the way to a 7-1 victory over Kamehameha-Hawaii to repeat as Division II winners in the Outrigger Resorts/HHSAA Boys Soccer State Championships.
The top-seeded Owls (10-2-2) put an end to the impressive postseason run by the second-seeded visitors from the Big Island. The Warriors (10-5) defeated two other neighbor island teams — Seabury Hall and league rival Honokaa — to make it to the final, where they were clearly overmatched by the powerhouse from the ILH.
"This was a great, great team win," Owls coach Jayson Abe said. "I can’t emphasize enough how well this team played together this season. I’ve never had a team that jelled like that. Really cohesive."
It’s not a fact that’s been bandied about, but the Owls decided before the season began that they will move up to Division I next season. They nearly placed first this season among the D-I schools in the ILH.
Riley Kainoa Behler got the ball rolling for MPI in the 10th minute by curling a shot in from the end line on the left side for a 1-0 lead.
Kohei Tomita figured in two of the next three Owls goals. Tomita scored on a 32-yard direct kick for a 2-0 edge, and later, on the team’s final goal of the half, he sent a perfect diagonal pass into the deep right corner for teammate Payton Boyd, who outmuscled an opponent and crossed the ball to Landon Navarro at the far post. It didn’t take long for Navarro’s shot to hit the back of the net.
Brandon Ho, MPI’s standout senior defender, will always remember the Owls’ chemistry this season.
"This is the second state title with the boys," he said. "It’s the best feeling in the world. And we had some new players, some who weren’t there last year. We have some great returning seniors and we had some great underclassmen, so they’re going to be in great shape."
Earlier, Mid-Pacific struck for a goal with two one-touch hits. Tyler Allen received Ho’s long direct kick and tapped it to Boyd, who tapped it past Kamehameha-Hawaii goalkeeper Sean Miday.
In the second half, Allen scored twice and Dylan Teves notched one goal to finish off the rout.
Riley Siemann cranked home Kamehameha-Hawaii’s only goal with an 18-yard rocket in the 70th minute on a cross from Rylan Respicio.
"We lost, but we scored," Siemann said. "I love my boys and can’t wait to come back next year."
Said Warriors coach Mario Patino, "They did a clinic on us, but we did fine for what we had. Tactics go only so far when you play a team like that. But playing them is only going to make us better."
For the Owls, it was their fourth D-II state crown. They also won it in 2008, 2010 and a year ago.
THIRD PLACE
Hawaii Prep 1, Honokaa 0
Goal scorers—HPA: Braden Kojima (45′).
FIFTH PLACE
Kapaa 3, Kailua 1
Goal scorers—Kapaa: Eljay Camat (16′), Koa Kallai (19′), Clifton Oliver (65′). Kailua—Naia Graham (79′).
