Kahuku nets three second half goals to down Waipahu, repeat as OIA D2 champs

Kahuku Red Raiders boys soccer team celebrates with the OIA Division II league championship going back-to-back at Kapolei’s Alvin Nagasako Sports Complex. CJ Caraang | SL

Call it a Red Raider repeat.

Kahuku boys soccer topped off its perfect season in league play with a 4-1 win over Waipahu. The win came from three goals scored by the Red Raiders in the second half, securing its place as back-to-back OIA Division II champions and fourth title overall.

The Red Raiders (10-0-0) were the favorites coming into the game against the Marauders (7-2-1) as they beat them earlier in the season, 3-1. However, the stakes were higher in this game with the championship on the line.

Both teams scored in the first 12 minutes, as Kahuku's Paul Horcajo Jr. netted a goal from a corner for an early lead, but Waipahu's Keoni Von Tungeln quickly tied it with a free kick.

The Red Raiders were maintaining the majority of possession, while the Marauders were looking for success in a counterattack. The rest of the half finished scoreless, leaving the match tied 1-1 at halftime. Head coach Doug Madruga for the Red Raiders felt like his team was wearing down the Marauders the whole first half, which would open up the second half.

"They (his team) came out of the first half with a losing feeling, and I was like, guys, it's 0-0, like don't even sweat," Madruga said. "We just needed to focus on the things that we train and put the ball in the back of the net. I knew they (Waipahu) were going to get tired."

The theme of the game continued in the second half with Kahuku dominating possession and leaving Waiaphu dependent on the counterattack. With three shots in the first two minutes, Kahuku was building pressure. However, Waiaphu was staying solid in the back and only allowing shots from outside the box.

Horcajo stepped up with a goal in the 52nd minute to show why he is tied for the second-highest goal scorer in Division II overall. Kahuku took a quick short corner, where Horcajo was able to draw a foul. He then tucked the freekick near post to beat the goalkeeper and regain the lead for the Red Raiders. This gave Horcajo his second goal of the game.

"I wanted to place it near post, that is my favorite spot to put it," said Horcajo. "Our whole team connected today, and that is what got me the goals today and all season."

Waipahu looked to snap right back like the first half, but fell short two minutes later after a full-stretch save by Kahuku's 6-foot-6-inch goalkeeper. The save gave Kahuku that final boost of energy they needed to completely take over the game.

In the 65th minute, Makana Rich, for the Red Raiders, was able to put the game away and make it 3-1. He came up with a crafty dribble to skip past a couple of defenders and place a top left corner shot that left the Marauders' goalie no chance. The goal had the entire Red Raider bench up and celebrating, as they could taste the championship.

The final goal came in the 73rd minute by Kahuku's other top goal scorer, Louis Faustino. His 14th goal of the season came from a cross played by Rich. Faustino turned the defender guarding him and placed the ball in the bottom corner of the net to close out the game 4-1.

"Work is not done," Madruga said. "There are plenty of things that I saw and mistakes we had, that we need to work on, so Monday we're back to training."

Kahuku and Waipahu will both be back in action to represent the OIA in the Division II state championships beginning on February 9