Red Raiders’ Jay Hix Named OIA Girls Soccer Coach Of Year
Castle goalie Brandee Lane: OIA All-Star
The Kahuku girls soccer team quickly emerged as the OIA surprise team in 2014-15, going their first 11 games without a loss, and earning the East’s top seed for the conference tournament.
The Red Raiders were rewarded for their efforts recently when the East revealed its All-Conference lists. Kahuku landed both Kamaile Aluli and Jaelyn Lowery on the First Team. The All-Star teams are selected in a vote of league coaches at season’s end.
A sophomore attacker, Aluli ended the season with 18 goals, tying for second in the state in scoring with Kaiser’s Noelle Mercado. (Mililani’s Tia Furuta led with 26.) Lowery was a senior defender and one reason why the team won seven of their games by way of a shutout.
Kahuku also placed both attacker Pikake Hix and defender Melia White on the Second Team, while Marah Niu, Kiana Schatz and Kanani Uluave earned Honorable Mentions.
Kahuku’s Jay Hix was named Coach of the Year by his peers.
The team finished 9-3-3 overall, including an 8-0-2 mark in the East. As the East’s top seed in the OIA tournament, Kahuku defeated Pearl City 1-0 in the quarterfinals before losing to Moanalua and Mililani in the semifinals and third place game, respectively.
At the Division I state tournament, Kahuku lost to Iolani in the first round and tied Moanalua 0-0 in the consolation round. • Alyssa Tanigawa made the First Team as a defender for Castle, which went 6-3-2 overall, including a 6-2-2 mark in the East. A loss to Kapolei in the first round of the OIA tournament ended the Knights’ bid to move on.
The Knights also saw midfielder Destinee Hanaike and goalkeeper Brandee Lane make the Second Team. Lane recently announced she would accept a scholarship offer from Chaminade University.
Earning Honorable Mention from Castle were Jayli Miyamoto, Mikayla Harada and Danielle Chang. • Kailua attacker Helena Ankien made the Second Team, after tallying a team-high eight goals. The Surfriders went 5-6 overall, losing to Campbell in the first round of the OIA tournament.
Kailua also saw Kyla Cantillo, Jacelyn Kim, Kayla Hooker, Celina Mitchell and Lauae Lifte-Tauai earn Honorable Mentions.
Second Team picks were Surfrider midfielder Keeley York and defender Mia York. • The Mustangs finished 3-6-1, and saw Hannah Cabral, Sienna Decosta and Denali Jackson earn Honorable Mentions.
Kalaheo head coach Alan Heu announced his retirement after 15 seasons. jackster.1969@yahoo.com
