Maurice Miranda has taken more experienced Honokaa soccer teams to Kealakekua and come away empty.
So he felt just fine to be heading back to cooler temperatures in North Hawaii with a draw on Tuesday.
Preston Branco made it possible, scoring in the second half as the Dragons and Konawaena played to a 1-1 draw in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation boys match.
“Happy to come away with a point,” Miranda said. “It’s always been a tough place to play. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s the heat. Kind of like what we face against Kealakehe.”
Branco scored the equalizer for the Dragons (2-0-1) after the Wildcats (2-1-1) took the lead to halftime courtesy of Sergio Garcia’s goal.
On the play that made it 1-1, Miranda said Branco and Konawaena’s goalkeeper essentially volleyed the ball back and forth.
“He sent it to Preston, and Preston sent it right back to him,” Miranda said. “We moved the ball well and created a bunch of chances.
“Both teams are young and had a lot of chances.”
Hawaii Prep 9, Keaau 0: Justin Perry and Ghar Pautz recorded hat tricks in Keaau as Ka Makani improved to 2-0-1.
Austin Schneider and Kento Komatsu each scored once and HPA also took advantage of an own goal, while Kyle Hollister and Finn Simmersbach combined to shut out the Cougars (1-2-1).
Perry, a junior striker, has scored at least two goals in all three games this season and has seven on the season.
GIRLS
Nalani Wall scored twice and host Konawaena beat Honokaa by a 4-0 score that also matches the two-time defending BIIF Division I champion’s record.
“We’re progressing and that is all I can ask for,” Wildcats coach Guy Miranda said. “Every game they get better.”
Kaulana Ruedy and Mikala Fernandez added goals for Konawaena. Taiana Tolleson and Kili Kunitomo split the goalkeeping duties against the Dragons (1-1-0).
Hawaii Prep 9, Keaau 0: Kaui Taylor, Gabbie Ewing and Bri Vallente bagged two goals apiece as visiting Ka Makani earned their third shutout of the season.
Marlie Mandaguit, Teia Knoll and Teah Van Bergen also scored for HPA (3-0). The defending Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II champions have outscored their three opponents by a combined 23-0.
Ewing, a senior midfielder leads HPA with five goals this season, while Mandaguit has four.
Taimane Kamaka shut out the Cougars (1-2-0).