The Sacred Hearts Academy varsity soccer team recently participated in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) Division II state tournament.

“I am proud that we made it to states this season,” junior Meghan Matsuoka said. “I’m glad I got to enjoy this experience before graduating, (and) I hope that next year we can make it farther in the tournament.”

The tournament started on Feb. 1 at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex. The Lancers went up against Waianae High School, defeating them with a score of 4 to 1.

The four goals were scored by Academy sophomore Reina Santiago, junior Leinani Lacio and seniors Brianne Agcaoili and Kaycee Selga. With that win, the Lancers played top-seeded Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA), a school on the Big Island, for the quarterfinal round the next day.

The Lancers fell to HPA, with a 3 to 0 score, early in the second half. But with two late-game goals by freshmen Alena Schenk and Agcaoili, HPA’s lead was down to one goal. In the end, the Lancers fell 3 to 2. They played Waipahu High School the following day.

In the fifth place semi-final round, the Lancers played the Waipahu Marauders. However, the Lancers lost to the Marauders in an intense game, 5 to 1. The one goal came from Academy player Christiann Arakawa.