Close Competition In Red West Soccer
Halfway through the OIA Red West boys soccer season, one sentiment has prevailed among the teams: There is little margin for error.
The standings neatly summarize the parity that exists as the top five teams (Mililani, Aiea, Kapolei, Campbell and Pearl City) had a combined record of 18-4-4 heading into last weekend, with three teams still unbeaten.
As the league hits the stretch run, MidWeek‘s West Oahu Islander profiles the teams in its coverage area.
DI at a Glance
Aiea High (4-0-1)
Signature wins: over Leilehua (2-0) Dec. 21 and over Waipahu (3-0) Dec. 7
Remaining games: at Nanakuli Jan. 4, at Kapolei Jan. 8, at Campbell Jan. 11, Pearl City Jan. 14
Must-see game: at Kapolei Jan. 8
Make plans for the DI state tournament if: Na Ali’i continues to make teams go the long, hard route to score. Except for yielding three goals to Waianae in a tie on opening day, Aiea has been stellar defensively, giving up only two goals in its other four games. Aiea is one of the surprise teams to date in the league. Should it remain in the mix for the OIA Red West crown, it will have earned it, with key road games coming up against traditional powers Kapolei and Pearl City.
Campbell High (3-2-1)
Signature wins: over Radford (3-0) Dec. 7 and over Waialua (2-0) Dec. 14
Remaining games: at Pearl City Jan. 4, Waipahu Jan. 8, Aiea Jan. 11, at Waianae Jan. 14
Must-see game: at Pearl City Jan. 4
Make plans for the DI state tournament if: The Sabers can produce offensively. Campbell is 3-1 when scoring three goals or more, with their only loss in that span a 4-3 setback to Kapolei.
Pearl City High (3-2)
Signature wins: over Leilehua (6-0) Dec. 7 and over Nanakuli (6-0) Dec. 14
Remaining games: Campbell Jan. 4, Waianae Jan. 8, Radford Jan. 11, at Aiea Jan. 14
Must-see game: at Aiea Jan. 14
Make plans for the DI state tournament if: The Chargers come through, offensively. In its three wins, Pearl City tallied a whopping 19 goals. Conversely, in losses to the league’s elite – Mililani and Kapolei – Pearl City scored just one goal.
Kapolei High (4-0-1)
Signature wins: Over Campbell (4-3) Dec. 18 and over Pearl City (2-1) Dec. 21
Remaining games: Waipahu Jan. 4, Aiea Jan. 8, Leilehua Jan. 11, at Radford Jan. 14
Must-see game: Aiea Jan. 8
Make plans for the DI state tournament if: With wins over Campbell and Pearl City already, the Hurricanes have positioned themselves nicely for the second half of the season, as well as the playoffs. With three of their final four games at home, Kapolei is in line for a favorable post-season seeding if they don’t stumble.
DII at a Glance
Waipahu High (1-4-1)
Signature wins: over Radford (3-1) Dec. 4
Remaining games: at Kapolei Jan. 4, at Campbell Jan. 8, Waianae Jan. 11
Must-see game: Waianae Jan. 11
Make plans for the DII state tournament if: The Marauders sweep their final three games to get back into the mix for a playoff berth in the White conference. Waipahu’s post-season hopes will hinge on how well they can fare on the road, with key visits ahead to Kapolei and Campbell.
