One in a million wasn’t enough for the Kahuku boys, so they made the same improbable shot twice.
Gabriel Pinheiro-Alves laced a shot from just outside the top of the box in the seventh minute of overtime and Kahuku beat Campbell 2-1 in the first round of the OIA boys soccer tournament on Tuesday at Pearl City.
"Unbelievable," Kahuku coach Richard Oei said. "It was a one-in-a-million shot. You take it and hope it goes in, maybe the wind had a little to do with it, but it was dead on."
Jake Samsel made a shot from the same spot after taking a pass from Peter Hyatt in the 20th minute to give Kahuku the lead. Campbell’s Kohl Gonzales bounced back with a goal on a penalty kick off an inadvertent handball in the box by Hyatt in the 41st minute to eventually force overtime.
The Sabers dominated in the second half, outshooting Kahuku 11-2 and earning seven corner kicks to Kahuku’s one. Once Kahuku survived that, it felt that overtime was its time. Coaches said they practiced working the ball to the top of the box all week, and they converted both times they did it.
"We were playing really hard. We wanted this so hard," Pinheiro-Alves said. "Coaches kept saying, shoot from the 18, shoot from the 18."
Pinheiro-Alves got his shot when Samsel dropped the ball to him, and he drilled a shot over the leaping keeper. The Red Raiders (8-3) immediately huddled in celebration while the Sabers to a man stayed glued to their spots in stunned silence.
"Two wide-open shots, two goals," Campbell coach Randy White said. "They were lucky to make them and we weren’t. I’m definitely proud of the kids. They did a great job this year. This is a great defensive team."
Campbell’s season is over at 6-5 after making it to the Division I state tournament last year for the first time since 2002. Kahuku, which hasn’t run with the big dogs at states since 1997, needs only to win one of its next two games to reach the tournament. The Red Raiders were in the Division II tournament in 2008 and 2012, but lost in the first round both times.
The first one will certainly be the most difficult. The Red Raiders play undefeated West champion Mililani today at Mililani. Last time they met, the Trojans knocked them out of the winner’s bracket of the OIA tournament last year with a goal on a set play in the second overtime. Kahuku never recovered and lost 6-0 to eventual state champion Kalani to miss out on its chance at the state tournament.
"I’m just excited to play them," Samsel said. "We got unlucky last year. Hopefully this is our year to take it back from them."
Thursday’s semifinals and Friday’s OIA White and Red championships were moved from Kapolei to Pearl City. All four games will be televised live by OC 16.
Pearl City 3, Castle 1
Luke Wyman scored in the 19th minute and the Chargers defense made it hold up in a win at home over the Knights.
Nikolas Motheral powered in a goal from the near post and Ryan Nakano scored on a breakaway in the second half for Pearl City. The Chargers (9-2) move on to play Kaiser today at Mililani. DJ Chinen scored in the final minute for Castle (6-5), which ended its season.
OIA RED CONFERENCE
Kalaheo 3, Radford 1
Chandler Roth, Jhonah Felipe and Ruben Gutierrez all scored for the Mustangs en route to their opening-round win against the Rams. Kalaheo visits divisional rival and top-seeded Kalani in a 6:30 p.m. quarterfinal. Reese Wolf recorded Radford’s goal.
Moanalua 1, Aiea 0 (2 OT)
Erik Tabiolo scored the lone goal in the second overtime as Na Menehune defeated Na Alii. Moanalua plays Kapolei today at Kaiser High in a 5 p.m. quarterfinal match.
OIA WHITE CONFERENCE
Waipahu 2, Farrington 1, OT
Levi Wong scored his second goal of the match in the first overtime as the Marauders defeated the Governors. Waipahu visits divisional rival Leilehua in a 6:30 p.m. semifinal match. Jansen Wong found the back of the net for Farrington.
Waialua 1, McKinley 0
Thomas Pule netted the only goal of the match as the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers. Waialua advances to a 5 p.m. semifinal match against Roosevelt today at Leilehua.
