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Brandon Ching | ScoringLiveFebruary 28, 2022, 8:16pm
Mon, Feb 28, 2022 @ Iolani
ALA WAI—Aiea stunned No. 3 Iolani, 1-0, in the NIU Health Urgent Care+/HHSAA Division I Boys Soccer Championships opening round at Kozuki Stadium Monday.
"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter where we play or who we play. It matters if they're in the right mindset and these bigger games, you can be as tactical as you want and be as technical as you want. But they're made to be won, that's it. You have to have the right mindset to go out there and play," Aiea coach Qaylan Malama said.
Skye Ventura-Kahookele, one of seven seniors on the team, knocked in the decisive goal at the 76th minute to help Na Alii (10-5 overall) advance to the quarterfinal round against the third seed and Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Hilo on Thursday, Mar. 3 at Waipio Soccer Peninsula Field #20 at 3 p.m.
"Honestly it feels good. I couldn't be more proud of the team. We played really well. We missed a couple chances, but in the end, we came out strong. From sophomore year in Division II, to making it in D1 and to states mean a lot to us," Ventura-Kahookele said.
"They've scored a goal for every single game for two years. Us scoring, it's not much of a worry for me. We will score, but it's how much would we get scored on. It's something we have to be mindful of. We switched to a three-back instead of a four-back, so we're giving up space in the back, but we're continuing to score goals every game we play," Malama said.
The Raiders had multiple looks at goal in the first half and see their season come to an abrupt end with a 7-2-3 overall record.
Ventura-Kahookele took his defender down the left baseline and his shot went off Tanner Shum's finger tips and dribbled in and his teammates swarmed him to celebrate.
"In the moment, I don't know what happened, but when I had the 1-v-1, I knew it had to finish it because I had one in the first half. So when I was on my 1-v-1, I thought of my team and had to make it count. At first, I felt his pressure, but I had make enough space for me to pass him and shoot it," Ventura-Kahookele said.
Sensing desperation from Iolani as the timer continued to roll, Aiea did what it could to keep the Raiders in front of them until the final two whistles sounded.
"We dropped back most of our players and left me on top for defensive positioning and we held it down from there," Ventura-Kahookele said.
In the first half, Iolani went offensive and pressured Na Alii's defense. Jaxon Kahawai wasn't able to convert the header off a corner kick and Zach Gaoiran's shot attempt hit the cross bar. Keao Miyahira's attempt went left and Keane Palmer wasn't able to capitalize on a pass from Nathan Li.
"In the first half, we lacked the communication. So when it came to halftime, we really talked about it and we figured out which players we had to mark. When it came to the second half, we executed and I'm proud of my team," Ventura-Kahookele said.
"We worked on all season, that all players of our opponent are accounted for. If all players are accounted for, then we can defend going forward and that was our philosophy for this season. To find your marks and push from there. Those things happen where you get stuck in your half for 30 minutes, but it is what it is, but it's about being responsible," Malama said.
Junior Kelly Takara led the offensive attack in the second half. Despite one of his two shot attempts going over the goal, it helped set the tone for the team. Rycin Crisostomo drove baseline, but his attempt was no good.
Brett Nakao and Devin Pang each had corner kicks, but Na Alii defenders were able to to knock it away to prevent any Raider scoring opportunities. Miyahira had a header, but Aiea was able to clear it away.
Michael Kostecki drew a yellow card at about the 75th minute and a minute later, Ventura-Kahookele found the net that put Aiea up for good.
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