Ho's hat trick lifts Roosevelt to title
Photo gallery: OIA Girls Soccer |
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Roosevelt's Kristin Ho is a freshman who has been playfully picked on by her varsity soccer teammates this season.
Yesterday she picked on Waialua, scoring a hat trick in a 5-0 victory in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Girls White Conference championship game at Kapolei.
Ho scored twice late in the first half as Roosevelt won its first OIA girls soccer title.
"It's hard because we always get picked on and stuff, but it was cool because they're welcoming and it's been a cool season," said Ho, one of three freshmen playing for Roosevelt (12-1).
Among things Ho has had to put up with this season are being "teased for being the little one" and picking up balls after practice.
Roosevelt, the East champion, took control during a 6:16 span late in the first half.
Christy Watanabe took a pass from Ho and fired a shot off the left post, but remained calm and scored on the rebound at 32:00. The ball was stopped by the Waialua goalkeeper just past the goal line.
The Rough Riders made it 2-0 at 34:55 on a goal from Ho, who took a pass 12 yards in front of the goal, dribbled to her right and fired a shot into the left side of the net.
Ho struck again at 38:16 by lofting a 15-yard shot from the left side into the top right corner of the goal.
"They are a fast team, but I think we do have skills just as much as they do," said Waialua coach Charlyn Sales. "It just didn't work our way today."
Jenna Uyehara made it 4-0 with a spinning shot from 20 yards that traveled just over the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper.
Ho scored her third goal at 63:59 after collecting a loose ball 20 yards out and shooting it down the middle from 10 yards out.
"When she has the right time, she'll put things together for us," said Roosevelt coach Shaina Caporoz.
Added Ho: "My teammates helped me out and they were a big impact on how I played."
Roosevelt finished with 10 shots on goal, while West champion Waialua (10-2-1) had only one.
"It was like that all season. Nobody could get past (the defense)," Caporoz said.
Waialua has never won an OIA girls soccer title.
The first OIA girls championship was held in 1980. The first OIA White Conference (DivisionII) championship was held last season.
Roosevelt, Waialua, Campbell and Kaimuki will represent the OIA in the JN Automotive Division II State Championships, Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Park.
Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.