If Hilo coach George Ichimaru had one collective New Year’s resolution for his team, it would be to “play a perfect 80-minute game.”
The Vikings didn’t have the chance Tuesday because they split the difference, putting forth a sound effort to beat Keaau 9-0 in a TKO match that ended with the halftime whistle at Hilo Bayfront.
“Today was the perfect example of what I wanted,” Ichimaru said. “They executed really quickly. I’m shocked. I was talking to my coaches about how well they looked.”
Riley Patterson collected four goals for the Vikings (3-2), who are trying to improve after lopsided losses to Hawaii Prep and Kealakehe, teams they will see again in January.
“We seen glimpses of great soccer, but never a full 80 minutes,” Ichimaru said, “but we are building some momentum.”
Patterson, a sophomore, upped his team-leading goal total to eight with his second hat trick this season, Kalei Tolentino-Perry scored twice to give him five, and Kainalu Lewis also added two goals. Jonah Kim had the other goal, and Jyson Breitbarth and Ka’aina Lewis combined on the abbreviated shutout, which saw Ichimaru cycle players in and off the field.
The match highlighted the differences between the Red and Blue divisions. While Hilo has been the third-best team in the upper tier, the Cougars (5-2) are still tied atop the middle tier.
Keaau was playing without one of its best playmakers, Rico Handy, leaving striker Daniel Vierra with too much to do on his own.
“This is one of Keaau’s stronger teams,” Ichimaru said. “Daniel was creating out there, but he had no one to work with.”
Girls
Hilo 7, Keaau 0
Freshman Paige Hiraki scored two goals and Miya Clarke, Haley Miyasato and Alyeemomi Amaral each scored and added an assist at Hilo Bayfront.
Jordyn Pacheco put Hilo (5-1) ahead 1-0 in the second minute and senior Evyn-Bree Helekahi-Kaiwi scored on a 20-yard kick in the 66th minute, the only goal of the second half.
Lauree Anne DeMattos, Grace Watanabe and Ashley Mendes each drew assists, and Saydee Bacdad and Wren Wong each had a hand in the shutout against the Cougars (0-4).