When the Kapolei coaching staff created the Oahu Interleague Soccer Showcase in 2010, the goal was to have a preseason tournament akin to a mini state tournament.<\/p>\n
Four years later, the tournament has definitely lived up to its promise with four state champions having already taken part in the OISS, including last year’s Division I champion, Iolani.<\/p>\n
“We knew we weren’t likely to play each other (OIA versus ILH teams) in the regular season, so we wanted to have a high-level preseason tournament,” said Kapolei coach Ryan Lau, who shares head coaching duties with Neal Sakaue and Mark Ishii. “It’s been a good tournament — we’ve traditionally had strong teams from both sides.”<\/p>\n
With the fifth edition of the showcase this weekend, an all-star lineup is expected, including host Kapolei and fellow OIA teams Kalani and Mililani and ILH’s Punahou, Kamehameha and defending Division II state champion Mid-Pacific.<\/p>\n
Newcomer Mid-Pacific went 7-4-4 in 2013-14, finishing with a 4-4-4 mark in the ILH.<\/p>\n
Punahou finished 11-5-3 overall (6-3-3), while Kamehameha (6-4-5, 5-2-5) also had a solid season despite missing the state tournament.<\/p>\n
Mililani went 15-4 last season (10-0 versus OIA West teams), while Kalani finished 13-7 (8-2 in the OIA East) a year after winning the 2012-13 DI state tournament.<\/p>\n
Kapolei finished 2013-14 with a 12-6-1 mark, including a 9-1 record in the OIA West.<\/p>\n
As in past years, OIA teams will not play each other in the OISS. Each game instead will pit an OIA team opposite an ILH team.<\/p>\n
The Hurricanes’ public unveiling will be at 6 p.m. Friday, when they host Kamehameha.<\/p>\n
A matchup between Kalani and Mid-Pacific follows at 8.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, some teams will play two games. Kapolei will meet Punahou at 9 a.m. and also play Mid-Pacific at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
Thursday’s Punahou-Mililani game will kick off the tournament. (The game was scheduled for Thursday in case both Punahou and Mililani play in the state football championship game Friday night.)<\/p>\n
In future seasons, the OISS likely will move the tournament back a week or two on the calendar, according to Lau.<\/p>\n
The Hurricanes were only to finalize their roster early this week before taking part in the tournament.<\/p>\n
“It’s been good for all of us to see what we have (in week one),” he said, “but we would eventually like to move it.”<\/p>\n
Although Kapolei lost OIA West Player of the Year Keo Ponce to graduation, it returns several key players, highlighted by defender Lyric DeLeon, forward Shandon Hopeau and forward\/midfielder CJ Harvey.<\/p>\n
DeLeon and Hopeau are juniors, while Harvey is a senior.<\/p>\n
“We feel like we have a top-flight player at each position with them,” Lau said. “More is expected from them this year. They’ve been productive, and now we expect them to be leaders.”<\/p>\n
Hopeau and Harvey combined to score 15 goals for Kapolei last season.<\/p>\n
Lau also has high hopes for sophomore midfielder Garrison Lee and junior goalkeeper Makana Breault.<\/p>\n
“Garrison will be very vital to us, and if Makana can become more consistent, he can be a top-flight goalkeeper.”<\/p>\n
Also back are sophomore midfielder\/defender Beau Meyer and senior defender Quinn Thierbach.<\/p>\n
Lau also expects freshman Sean Yoshida to have an immediate impact.<\/p>\n
“We’re very excited about his versatility,” he said. “He can help us at multiple positions.”<\/p>\n
Kapolei opens its OIA season Dec. 10 against Radford at home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When the Kapolei coaching staff created the Oahu Interleague Soccer Showcase in 2010, the goal was to have a preseason..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-west-oahu-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n