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The Maui News 2018-19 MIL Boys Soccer All-Stars

Sarraude earns top honor: Senior forward among five Na Alii selected to MIL All-Star first team

By Robert Collias 4 min read

There is no doubt that Jhoel Sarraude and his class has left a strong foundation for the King Kekaulike High School boys soccer program.

Sarraude and company have put together back-to-back top-five finishes at The Queen's Medical Center/HHSAA state tournament and, after just missing the title last season, Na Alii claimed the Maui Interscholastic League crown this year.

Sarraude, a senior forward planning to attend South Oregon University to continue his career, is the choice of the league's coaches as The Maui News MIL Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

"It's exciting, I'm honored, honestly, especially to represent King K," Sarraude said. "It's great -- I've been working hard, so it feels good."

Sarraude is one of five Na Alii to make the first team, joining Joey Musto, Connor Prados, Dylan Gomes and Cody McDonald. Prados is a sophomore, the rest are seniors.

"Oh yeah, it's definitely sad -- I'm going to miss high school soccer, everything about it, I just love it," Sarraude said. "But it's been a great four years. I had a lot of fun."

The first team is rounded out by Baldwin's Bishop Wickes, Chris Barry, Kobi Kuge and Elliot Tom; and Kamehameha Maui's Teva Pimentel, Kanoa Hokoana and Cy Ornellas.

Sarraude's award is the second MIL POY honor earned by a King Kekaulike soccer player in the last two days. Sophomore forward Teani Arakawa was announced as The Maui News MIL Girls Soccer Player of the Year on Tuesday.

The King Kekaulike girls advanced to the state final four one season after the boys did.

"We do push each other a little bit, like in school and everything, saying 'are you guys going to win today?' And those kinds of things," Sarraude said. "The coach staffs, both sides, are good. We have that heart and mentality that we want to win, we want to represent our school."

That desire was perhaps never shown more distinctly than this season. They finished second in the MIL last season, but advanced to the state semifinals and had 1-0 and 2-1 leads in an eventual 3-2 loss to eventual co-champion Hawaii Prep.

This season after losing to Mililani, Na Alii roared to fifth place with a 5-1 win over Kalani and then a 3-1 victory over HPA. Sarraude finished his career with a goal against Kalani and two against HPA.

"A lot of my guys are childhood friends that I have played with for a long, long time," Sarraude said. "Soccer here is definitely good, a lot of high-end coaches here."

King Kekaulike co-head coaches Barry McKay and Ty Perdido are the MIL Coaches of the Year. McKay has worked with Sarraude since he was a freshman.

"Definitely excited to hear that news," McKay said of Sarraude's award. "Just coming up as a young player, watching him develop and just becoming the standout that he became. He always has been a great player, but he just got up to speed and really performed for us this year, really happy with his play."

McKay was perhaps most excited with the list of All-Stars from his team. In addition to the five first-team selections, the second team included two more Na Alii players.

"Just super proud of these guys," McKay said. "I mean, they came, they showed up, they played. Growing up as a young kid nowadays, there's a lot of stuff going on in their minds and at school, and this and that. They were able to put that stuff aside and just step up, getting better and better each season as it went on, as they all came in all as a freshman class.

"Just watching them grow, it's always fun and exciting to watch them do all that, just couldn't be happier. I'm going to miss them all, a lot."

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.

Second Team

Name School Position Class

Jericho Lara King Kekaulike Forward Senior

Dylan Nakagawa Kamehameha Maui Forward Junior

Hunter Devlin King Kekaulike Midfielder Sophomore

Elias Gonzalez Lahainaluna Midfielder Senior

Connor Kong Maui High Midfielder Sophomore

Gabe Andrion Baldwin Midfielder Senior

Hao Awai Kamehameha Maui Defender Junior

Dayne Kubo Kamehameha Maui Defender Senior

Tristan Andre Maui High Defender Senior

Brian Sandoval Lahainaluna Defender Junior

Hezekiah Kapuaala Kamehameha Maui Goalkeeper Sophomore

Cade Mattos Maui High Utility Senior

Ramon Cedillo Lahainaluna Utility Senior

Starting at /week.