Hawaii Prep controls Kauai in D2 semifinal

Hawaii Prep's Bella Police (7) scored the first goal for Ka Makani in their semifinal win. Michael Lasquero | SL

In a showdown between five-time defending Division II state champion Hawaii Prep and an unbeaten Kauai, something had to give.

Fortunately for Ka Makani, all the momentum swung their way Friday afternoon.

HPA rolled to a 3-0 semifinal win over the eighth-ranked Red Raiders in the Queen's Medical Center/HHSAA Girls Soccer Championships at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

Ka Makani advances to take on Kamehameha-Hawaii Saturday at 5:00 p.m. for the D2 title. It will be the third time in four years that the two teams have met in the final match of the season.

The Red Raiders (13-1) had a prime opportunity to get on the board first when HPA keeper Maia Mills vacated the box trying to chase a ball. Kauai's Kehela Ventura coralled the loose ball and attempt a shot from the right side that was in line to slip inside of the near post, but Ka Makani senior defender Zoe Ganley met the ball at the last minute to prevent the score.

Two minutes later HPA senior forward Emi Higgins had a shot inside the box stopped by Kauai's keeper Janelle Pupiava. However, Ka Makani continued to pester the goal and scored in the 36th minute on sophomore's Bella Police's goal, her fifth in the tournament.

Higgins eventually found the back of the net in the 56th minute and sophomore Malia Brost added a late goal before the end of regulation for the final point total.