StarBulletin.com

Pac-Five defends title in shootout


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POSTED: Sunday, February 07, 2010

On one bench, there were tears of joy.

On the other, tears of anguish.

Pac-Five's 1-0 win over top-seeded Kailua on penalty kicks gave the Wolfpack their second Division II state title in as many years. A robust crowd of 2,232 at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium saw Kailua desperately fight off the speedy Wolfpack, overcoming a relentless attack to force two overtimes before PKs.

It was an all-out assault—28 shots on goal by Pac-Five to Kailua's five—that was repelled all night by Surfriders goalkeeper Saige Manatad (12 saves). Manatad and her teammates, who dedicated their season to late coach Wil Kimura, were barely consolable after their first loss in 15 matches.

Their dedication—wearing armbands with Kimura's name, cheering “;Coach Wil!”; before and after matches—was a factor.

“;That emotion really made a difference in the game,”; Pac-Five coach Eddie Wong said. “;They proved they can play with the best.”;

Like last year, Pac-Five won on PKs in the final of the JN Automotive/HHSAA Division II Girls Soccer State Championships. Wong saw his team's focus on PKs at practice for the past two weeks pay off.

“;Past experience shows you can dominate a game and still go into PKs,”; he said. “;This team is kind of special. We didn't pick out one player. It's the team.”;

Ashley Haruki, Brooke Loveless and Geena Fong drilled their kicks for Pac-Five, and after Kailua missed three of its four tries, the match was over.

Haruki, a junior midfielder, was precise.

“;I didn't look at the keeper. I knew where I'd kick it. I just had to place it,”; said Haruki, who tapped the ball to the left of Manatad.

Kailua's Cheyenne Kadooka tied it at 1-all before Loveless went to the left corner of the net to give the edge back to the Wolfpack.

“;I knew I wanted to go left. I'm left-footed and I knew I'd go for the corner,”; she said.

After a Kailua miss, Fong came through with a blast to the right. She won last year's title match against Kapaa with a PK—a goalkeeper who's also a powerful kicker.

Manatad and her teammates cried through the postmatch trophy presentation, but knew that Kimura, who died in December at 62, would've been happy.

“;He'd be so proud of us no matter win or lose. We did it for him and all our coaches,”; she said, still sobbing after a brilliant performance at the goal.

“;Let me tell you, Kailua played a very good game,”; Wong said. “;Their keeper is one of the best we've seen all season. Outstanding.”;