West Boys Soccer Teams Push To Be Playoff Contenders

The OIA has reached the midpoint of the 2015 boys soccer season, so West Oahu Islander takes a look at playoff prospects for five area teams.

Aiea Na Ali‘i

Record to date: 1-4

Must-see game ahead: at Mililani Friday

Na Ali‘i at mid-season: After a 1-3 start, Aiea found its footing in a 2-1 win over Waialua Dec. 30. An 11-day layoff followed, and Aiea was to return to action last Friday at home against Kapolei. Although playoff hopes will hinge on its final three games — at Mililani Jan. 16, at Waianae Jan. 20 and at home versus Radford Jan. 23 — Aiea also may need some help from other teams to make it happen.

Campbell Sabers

Record to date: 2-1-1

Must-see game ahead: versus Radford at Waipahu High Jan. 20

Sabers at mid-season: The Sabers will play all their games on the road while their home field is restored. The team has stood tall, beating Nanakuli 7-1 and Aiea 9-0, and tying Kapolei. The Hurricanes game was the first in a brutal three-game stretch for Campbell, which played at Pearl City (a 3-0 loss) last Tuesday before a much-anticipated trip to league-leader Mililani last Friday night. The Sabers’ last four games will come against teams who entered last weekend’s action with a combined 5-11-1 record.

Kapolei Hurricanes

Record to date: 2-0-2

Must-see game ahead: versus Pearl City Friday at home

Hurricanes at mid-season: This is a critical week in the team’s quest for favorable seeding at the OIA tournament at month’s end, as it was to face Waianae in a key game Tuesday before the Friday matchup. The Hurricanes breathed new life into their 2015 season last week with a huge 1-0 win over previously undefeated Mililani. Kapolei’s first road test was to come over the weekend at Aiea. Its only other road game is Jan. 20 against Leilehua.

Pearl City Chargers

Record to date: 4-0 Must-see game ahead: versus Mililani Jan. 20 at home

Chargers at mid-season: No team in the West has been better than Pearl City with its five-game win streak. That included consecutive shutouts of Leilehua 4-0, Waipahu 5-0, Nanakuli 3-0 and Campbell 3-0. The Chargers hadn’t given up a goal since a 2-1 win over Radford Dec. 16. The Chargers will finish the season with a critical three-game stretch starting Friday at Kapolei, followed by home games against Mililani Jan. 20 and Waianae Jan. 23.

Waipahu Marauders

Record to date: 1-4 Must-see game ahead: versus Campbell Jan. 23 at home

Marauders at mid-season: Despite a challenging beginning slate, the back end of the schedule looks more manageable for the Marauders, who will play four of their last five at home in their drive to make the playoffs.

The lone road game in that span was last weekend’s trip to Waianae. Now the team will focus on Nanakuli Tuesday, Radford Friday and Campbell Jan. 23 — all on its home field.

jackster.1969@yahoo.com