KAILUA-KONA — Hilo head coach George Ichimaru knows how hard it is to play at Waverider Stadium. Luckily, the Vikings don’t have travel plans to be heading back there anytime soon after picking up a 1-1 tie against Kealakehe on Tuesday afternoon.
Logan Mizuba put Hilo on the board in the first half, but the Waveriders picked up the equalizer when Eima Kozakai converted a second half penalty kick. Both teams had their chances late, but neither managed to break through for the decisive goal.
“Coming to Kealakehe and getting a result is really, really tough. I’ve been here five years and the best we have been able to do at this field is a tie,” Ichimaru said. “We were feeling out each other in the first half. In the second half, we went at it. It was a dramatic finish.”
The tie put an end to a 10-game winning streak for Hilo (10-2-1), which started the season 0-2. However, the single point was an important one, as it allowed the Vikings to secure the No. 2 seed and home field for a Division I semifinal game next week.
Even if the Viks lose to winless Keaau (0-10) and Waiakea upsets defending D-I state champion Hawaii Prep (12-1) in each team’s season finales on Thursday, Hilo owns a one-goal advantage in the head to head goal differential in the two games the teams split this season. Waiakea won the first matchup 3-2, while Hilo beat the Warriors 4-2 on Jan. 17.
“Playing at Hilo Bayfront is always an advantage for us. The field is nice and the weather has been great,” Ichimaru said. “At this point in the season for us it’s all about the rhythm and form. And overall, I think we are in good shape.”
The result also adds some extra intrigue to Kealakehe’s last game of the season against west side rival Konawaena (5-9) on Thursday.
With a 9-0 win over Keaau, Waiakea (9-3-1) currently occupies the No. 3 spot, two points ahead of the Waveriders (8-3-2). However, with a win against the Wildcats and a loss by Waiakea to Hawaii Prep, Kealakehe could move up and avoid a semifinal date with Ka Makani, which is locked into the top spot. That would also mean a rematch with Hilo for a spot in the title game and a state tournament berth.
“It’s interesting, for sure,” Kealakehe head coach Hayato Fukumitsu said of the D-I landscape. “The boys know that if they continue to do the work and push, the results will come. If you hustle until that final whistle, you always have a chance to win, no matter who you’re playing against.”
The BIIF championships are slated for Jan. 30 at Kamehameha-Hawaii.
Kealakehe has been one of the stingiest teams in the league when it comes to goals against, having allowed just 12 all season — just six to teams not named Hawaii Prep.
The concerted defensive effort was noticeable against the Vikings, especially the game plan to limit Hilo captain Riley Patterson, one of the premier goal scorers in the BIIF who has amassed 36 tallies this season.
Patterson had some chances, including a shot that hit the post with just over a minute left. But wherever he went, plenty of blue shirts followed.
“He’s a great player, so we had to address the issue,” Fukumitsu said.
Ichimaru said with Patterson’s recent form, it’s expected for teams to key off him and attempt to limit his impact on the game.
“Riley gets lot of attention,” Ichimaru said. “He had some opportunities but found other ways to contribute.”
One of those ways was by lining up on an unfamiliar side of a penalty kick.
As the Waveriders turned up the pressure in the second half, Kaisei Kelly was tripped up in the box by Hilo goalkeeper Jase Ambrojo. The referee gave Hilo’s netminder a yellow card, which meant he had to go to the sideline for the penalty kick.
Patterson threw on a yellow bib and jumped in net, yelling, “let’s do this.” While he put forward a valiant effort, he couldn’t stop Kozakai’s try, which evened the game at 1-1.
“It was a very unique situation. I’ve never had that before,” Ichimaru said. “(Ambrojo) played well after that and made some big saves to keep it tied.”
The evening wrapped up with senior night at Waverider Stadium. The team celebrated its five seniors: Eima Kozakai, Teddy Rubenstein, Skyler Canario-Pavao, Kainoa Raymond and Kean Schutte.