One down, one more to go.
One of the goals for the Campbell girls soccer team was to beat OIA West powers Mililani and Pearl City. Getting wins against those two — who have combined to win seven OIA titles since 2006 — would show how far the Sabers have progressed.
The Sabers met one of their goals on Tuesday when they won 3-1 at Pearl City. Aliani Lorenzo’s hat trick helped Campbell improve to 5-1-0.
“All these years for Campbell, we’ve had a hard time beating Pearl City; we’ve never beaten Mililani,” said Campbell coach Ryan Leong. “This year, the girls are so focused on trying to change that trend. Mililani and Pearl City are such good schools. One of our goals is to change that trend and they’re working very hard to get there.”
Lorenzo provides leadership as one of the captains and is a threat on offense. Pearl City (5-1-0), the defending OIA champion, lost her on the field.
“Our defense didn’t play badly, we just didn’t guard their star,” said Pearl City coach Frank Baumholtz III. “We talked about guarding their star. When you leave the star wide open, she’s going to put the ball into the net.”
Lorenzo scored early in the first half to put the Sabers up 1-0 at halftime. She converted a penalty kick in the 42nd minute to extend the lead to 2-0. The Sabers tried to remain composed against a Pearl City team that had allowed one goal entering Tuesday’s game.
“It was taking leadership, everyone being leaders themselves,” Lorenzo said. “Just knowing that as long we got each other’s back, we know we can take on any team.”
Jordan Gomes scored for Pearl City in the 66th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1.
“We work on corner kicks that when you got a million people in front on the goal, you just soft tap it up in the air,” Baumholtz said. “That’s exactly what she did, just got it up over everybody and the goalie lost it. That was good for her. It’s always good when the fullback scores.”
Lorenzo scored again a few minutes later, going around a defender at the top of the box and cutting the ball from her right to left foot before shooting.
“Pearl City is a good team,” Lorenzo said. “As for us, we kept working hard, we stayed disciplined. This year is different. We have a new coaching staff. It’s all about teamwork and family.”