Kapa'a tops Mid-Pacific, 2-1, to claim 2nd Division II title

Kapa'a's Tanner Henry scored on this header to give the Warriors the early lead over Mid-Pacific. Greg Yamamoto | SL

WAIPIO - Senior Michael Alonzo scored the game-winning goal in the 21st minute to lead Kapa'a to a 2-1 win over Mid-Pacific for the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts/HHSAA Division II Boys Soccer State Championships.

For Warriors coach Kevin Cram, this was his second state title in five years with Kapa'a.

"This feels great," said Alonzo. "Took a lot of hard work and the boys pulled through. We kept pushing and pushing. It just took effort. It took sweat, pride. It just took everything."

"We've now won two," said Cram. "Honoka'a has two and Mid-Pac has two. So we wanted to even up the score."

Kapa'a got on the scoreboard first in the early minutes of the first period of play. Senior Tanner Henry was on the receiving end of a long throw-in from the outside into the heart of the 18-yard box. Henry, with brilliant position on the ball, headed the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net. The goal by Henry came in the eight minute of play.

"We've been practicing throw-ins a lot at practice lately," said Henry. I'm not very good at heading balls. So been working on it. So just put it away and drived it."

"Tanner was phenomenal this whole tournament," said Cram. "He did not score once this whole season. Scored a goal in each of the three playoff games over here."

The Owls struck back one minute later with a goal of their own. A through ball sent past the Kapa'a defense connected with Mid-Pac's Eshan Mehta. The junior, without even looking at the goal, back-heeled the ball right into the back of the net for a beautiful equalizing goal. The score by Mehta came nine minutes into the first half.

"(About Mid-Pacific) They did great, their defense played solid," said Alonzo. "The passing was awesome. We just pushed through and wanted it so bad."

Both teams exchanged offensive blows up until the 21st minute. Alonzo, who was a defensive player converted into attacker, sprinted and dribbled his way down the left sideline.. Finally beating his defender, Alonzo delivered a laser of a shot into the right inside netting for a score. The goal by Alonzo was the last of the game.

"Once they (Kapa'a) had that first one in, I said ‘we got to get one more'," said Alonzo. "Got to give everything. My legs were tired but I kept on pushing and pushing and put it in."

"We moved him up to get more speed in the up front," said Cram. "It paid off for us."

Both the Owls and the Warriors have their share of state titles. However, Kapa'a lost three straight state tournament appearances preceding this season. For the seniors on this Warriors squad, this was the last chance they had at a State Championship.

"This feels great," said Henry. "We've been here for three year in a row. We came together this tournament and played great."

Division II All-Tournament Team

F - Daniel Alonzo, Kapa'a
F - Michael Alonzo, Kapa'a
F - Kepa Police, Hawai'i Prep
MF - Tyler Allen, Mid-Pacific
MF - Harland-Blue Pierce, Mid-Pacific
MF - Joshua Cram, Kapa'a
MF - Jhonah Felipe, Kalaheo
MF - Eshan Mehta, Mid-Pacific
D - Tanner Henry, Kapa'a
D - Brandon Ho, Mid-Pacific
D - TJ West, Kapa'a
GK - Coran Yamamoto, Konawaena

Most Outstanding Player: Joshua Cram, Kapa'a

Reach Aven Santiago at [email protected].