HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mililani's Stephanie Yoro headed the ball away from Moanalua's Ashley Dolan yesterday.
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Mililani faces Kalani in final
Shelyce Ichimura scored 23 minutes in, and Mililani's defense took care of the rest, in a 1-0 victory over Moanalua last night at Kapolei High School field.
The Trojans (10-1-1) advance to Saturday's Oahu Interscholastic Association girls soccer championship against Kalani on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Kaiser. Moanalua (9-2-1) will play Pearl City for third place on Friday at 5:15 p.m. at Castle.
Mililani used its size and athleticism to thwart the Menehunes.
"It was panic soccer," Mililani coach Ray Akiona said. "They took us out of our offense."
The two teams played to a scoreless tie in nonconference play, giving the Trojans every indication that the rematch would be very tough.
"They've really jelled. Their speed, their power ... and they play well together," Akiona said. "To come against a team like Moanalua and win gives us momentum. We're gonna need this kind of intensity. If we can maintain this, we'll do well."
Ichimura, a speedy, diminutive sophomore, displayed her play-making ability early.
"I was chasing the ball down and the defender misplayed the ball," Ichimura said. "She touched it, put a backspin on it. I got a chance to volley the ball."
Her finesse play, a soft shot over the middle from 10 yards out, sailed over the goalkeeper for the game's only score.
"Sheryce is a very talented individual player. She has a knack for finding the net," Akiona said.
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mililani's Allison Kagawa, right, and Moanalua's Ashley Dolan battled for possession as Moanalua's Ayasha Abut gave chase in yesterday's semifinal game at Kapolei High School.
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Goalkeeper Traci Kusaka and the other Trojans took care of the rest.
"I thought it was gonna be more physical, but everyone had cool heads," Ichimura said. "You have to keep everyone focused, make sure they don't let down and make mistakes."
The latter portion of the first half was played mostly in Mililani's attacking zone. The Menehunes had just two shots on goal before halftime. Moanalua had scoring opportunities in the second half, but misfired.
"Our kids played with their hearts today," Akiona said.
Kalani 1, Pearl City 0
Alyson Suehiro hustled after a perfect lead pass and delivered a left-footed blast to the corner of the goal from 20 yards out to give the Falcons the only score of the game at the 32-minute mark.
The win by Kalani (8-2-3), the sixth seed from the East, came against Pearl City (10-1-1), the top seed in the West.
Suehiro and her teammates got a jolt of extra adrenaline during pre-game warmups.
"We're the underdogs. Nobody expects us to be here," Suehiro said. "They were taking us lightly. They said, 'It's just Kalani.' I heard it.
"I got angry."
Kalani prepared for Pearl City's 3-4-3 defense well.
"They only have three fullbacks, so it was easier for us to take it to the goal," Suehiro noted.
The Chargers had their opportunities. Lauren Maeshiro barely missed high and left on a 20-yard attempt from the right side at the 27-minute mark.