Daniel Woo leads Pearl City into Thursday night's OIA Western Division game against Garrison Lee and unbeaten Kapolei. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Two of the traditional boys soccer powers in the Oahu Interscholastic Association will face off out west Thursday night when Kapolei hosts Pearl City in a crucial regular-season game.

Like most of the other meetings between the teams, this one has a lot hanging on it.

The Hurricanes (6-0-1) are tied with Mililani atop the Western Division standings and hold a one-point lead over the Chargers (6-1). The winner will likely assure itself at least a second-place finish in the seven-team division and a first-round bye in the 12-team league tournament.

The lone blemish for both teams this season has come against the Trojans. Kapolei drew a 1-1 tie, while Pearl City lost to Mililani, 2-1.

The Chargers have won five straight games since the Dec. 8 defeat. They have outscored their opponents 35-3 during that stretch.

"The loss to Mililani was a tough one to swallow, but since that loss we've definitely been going in the right direction and getting better each day," Pearl City first-year coach Derek Kawano said. "We're headed toward playing to our full potential. I think we're close. We're definitely not there yet, but in my eyes we're on our way, so it looks promising right now."

Seniors Daniel Woo and Luke Wyman lead the team in scoring with 10 goals apiece.

"They're great players and they definitely play vital roles for us, but they've grown substantially within the year and have definitely grown into their roles," Kawano said.

Wyman and Woo are two of just six seniors for the Chargers, but have seen lots of field time since their freshmen seasons.

"I think even though it's a fairly young team on paper, a lot of these kids have been either playing and/or starting for us since at least last year, so as far as game experience I think they're older than what the paper says and it definitely helps," Kawano said. "We really didn't graduate much and really it's kind of paying off right now on the experience factor."

The Hurricanes are an even younger squad with just three seniors on their roster.

Among the losses to graduation from last year's state runner-up squad were All-Hawaii offensive player of the year, Shandon Hopeau, and first-team defender Lyric De Leon.

"Obviously we had very experienced, very dominant players last year and sometimes the team relied on them to make things happen and we were too reliant on them, but this year I think the team is more of the star," Kapolei co-head coach Ryan Lau said. "I think the kids understood that so I think there's a bit more urgency and intent to make an impact and because of that, the team as a whole has come along quicker."

One of the three seniors — Garrison Lee — has the team lead in goals scored with seven.

"Garrison has always been a prominent player for us as a contributor from his freshman year through last year. The only difference this year he not only has to worry about fulfilling his role on the field as a player, but now as a captain he's being asked to lead a little bit," Lau said. "He's taken on the role and there's been some growing pains, but he has the right mentality for it and he's been consistent on the field for us and it helps when your experienced players and seniors play consistently from game to game."

The Hurricanes have won their last three games by a combined margin of 19 to 2. Sophomore Sam Wren has scored four of his six goals during the stretch.

"I think in the last week we're slowly rounding into form and now we're starting to slowly grow and slowly peak," Lau said. "The last two games we've finally been playing consistent as far as discipline and the mentality of what we're trying to do, so that's good. It's been a process."

Kapolei has not surrendered more than one goal in a game and has allowed a total of just four goals on the season.

"We're happy with where we're at," Lau said. "We feel as far as the team emotionally, mentally and psychologically we're a lot further along than we've been in years past at this point. Pearl City is a good test to see where we're at moving forward."

The game was originally scheduled to be played at Pearl City Friday night, but was moved due to ongoing construction at Bino Nieves Stadium.

Kawano said the new artificial surface is complete, but work on the track has delayed the opening. As a result, his team — along with the Chargers' three other soccer teams (boys JV, girls JV and varsity) — have had to juggle between practice fields and community parks for the second straight season.

"If we ever get on it, I'm sure the boys are going to be really excited," Kawano said. "It's a tough situation to be in, but I'm proud of how they've handled it so far."

Kickoff between the Chargers and Hurricanes is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday.