Kahuku squeezes past Waipahu to claim first OIA title since 2012

Rayden Aoki | SL

For the first time since 2011, a boys soccer title is heading back to the North Shore.

Kahuku rallied to seek out the equalizer and then added the eventual game winning goal in a five minute stretch in a 2-1 result over Waipahu for the OIA Division II boys soccer championship.

"This is a huge win for us, especially throughout the year you know we never had the best record," said Kea Lerner of the victory. "So this is a stepping stool for us to go into states with a better mindset."

In the 72nd minute, Kea Lerner earned a penalty kick after a foul was called in the box, and the junior made the most of the chance, knocking the ball deftly into the back of the goal for the equalizer.

"Once I saw the ref put his hand towards the goal I knew it was the PK," said Lerner. "So once I saw my chance, I took the opportunity."

Lerner then factored into the Red Raiders' other score as his perfect through ball set up Noah Vaiaoga for the eventual game winner in the 77th.

"Noah is my guy," laughed Lerner. "Every time I tell him, just raise your hand if you're open, and I saw his hand raised and it couldn't have taken a more perfect set of bounces straight to him."

Waipahu had an golden opportunity to equalize just minutes, as Maddox Stewart was left all alone for a breakaway attempt that was lofted just over the top bar, then another in the 76th as a foul just outside the box resulted in a direct free.

That attempt was thwarted by a clutch save by keeper Tobias Erickson, who only made two stops in the contest, but none bigger than that one.

"I saw his eyes leaning one way so I went that way, but he went the other way and so I just got super lucky (to make the stop)," said Erickson.

The Marauders, who were making their second straight title game appearance, took the early lead as Travis Goto-Hirokawa found Gideon Gonda, who slipped the ball just past the keeper to give Waipahu the early advantage.

Both teams will represent the OIA in the upcoming Division II state championships.