Kamehameha-Hawaii Warriors Triumph Over HPA in Soccer Opener

The Kamehameha-Hawaii girls soccer team opened their BIIF season with a commanding performance, defeating Hawaii Preparatory Academy 3-1 on Saturday in Waimea. The defending champions demonstrated their prowess early in the match, with sophomore midfielder Emma Cootey netting a goal just three minutes in. This was quickly followed by two more goals within the first 15 minutes, with sophomore forward Lily Kay-Wong striking the net in the 10th and 15th minutes respectively.

Despite being down three goals, Hawaii Preparatory Academy managed to score in the 26th minute, with sophomore midfielder Zaylee Moses finding the back of the net. The remainder of the match saw no further goals, as both teams focused on defense in a tense second half. Last season, the Lady Warriors went undefeated against HPA, including a crucial 1-0 victory that secured them the BIIF title.

As the 2024-25 season unfolds, expectations are high for Kamehameha-Hawaii. The team returns several key players from last year’s successful roster, which finished with a record of 13-1-1 and achieved an impressive ten shutouts. The current squad, now at 1-0-0, features eight seasoned seniors, including Lahela Cootey, Alyssa Hudman, and Callie Chong, alongside talented juniors and sophomores.

Upcoming Matches and Team Outlook

Looking ahead, the Lady Warriors will face Waiakea on Wednesday, a rematch of last season’s encounter where Waiakea emerged victorious with a score of 2-0. Kamehameha-Hawaii’s head coach, Steve Cootey, will aim to leverage the experience of his veteran-heavy roster to secure another win.

Meanwhile, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, which finished second in the BIIF last season with a record of 9-6-0, will also compete against Waiakea on Saturday in Hilo. The team’s roster includes senior players such as Cameron Goodwin and Kirra Geesey, as well as promising younger athletes.

In the boys match that followed, Kamehameha-Hawaii also secured a narrow victory against HPA, winning 1-0. Senior Micah Chung scored the decisive goal in the 75th minute, marking the first game of the season for both teams. Like their female counterparts, the KSH boys team, which finished last season undefeated at 14-0, is poised to continue their winning streak under the leadership of experienced seniors.

On the eastern side of the island, the matches for the Kea‘au boys and girls teams against Ka‘u were postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions, adding an element of unpredictability to the start of the season.

The Kamehameha-Hawaii soccer programs continue to build on their success, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead as they strive to defend their titles and make significant strides in the upcoming matches.