Maya Hagiwara’s 3 goals pushes Kamehameha into semis

Maya Hagiwara had a night to remember Thursday.

Normally an attacking midfielder, Hagiwara was moved to center forward and netted three second-half goals to lead Kamehameha to a 3-0 victory over Mililani in the Division I quarterfinals of The Queen’s Medical Center/HHSAA Girls Soccer State Championships at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

Neither team budged in the first half. In the second, the ILH champion and top-seeded Warriors (11-2) took control.

Hagiwara’s first goal, the game-winner, came on a rebound of Anuhea Aluli‘s shot. The second came on a through ball from Leila Kahoano. The third was on a cross from D’awncey Jones-Black.

“Individually, it very big because I’ve been working on my confidence and those goals proved I can do something,” Hagiwara said. “Teamwise, the girls played such nice balls to me and I was there to finish.”

Warriors coach Missy Moore said it was a game-time decision to move Hagiwara to the front line. She took the spot vacated when Caili Cain went down with an injury in the 1-0 ILH championship game victory over ‘Iolani.

Moore’s Kamehameha squad, which is a two-time defending league champ, is aiming for a first state title since 2014 and a ninth state championship overall. The Warriors play MIL champion and fourth-seeded King Kekaulike in the semifinals Friday night.

“We have a shot,” Hagiwara said. “We’re talking about giving 300 percent. That’s 100 percent each in body, mind and spirit.”

Hagiwara had some other postgame fun with math. Listed at 5 feet on the roster, she said she’s 5-0 or 5-1.

“It depends on the day,” she said. “Sometimes I’m taller, sometimes I’m not.”

Another Kamehameha striker, the speedy Kalia Kalua, talked about what Hagiwara means to the team.

“Maya’s a hard worker, no matter where she goes,” Kalua said. “She will do whatever she can to put the ball in the net or pass it to the outside and that’s what we need. She’s positive and brings up the team a lot and really helps us.

“(The win) was awesome,” Kalua continued. “We all want it and we’re working as a team to get it.”

HHSAA D-I Tournament

HHSAA D-II Tournament