[ HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER ]
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Adria Campbell and the Punahou Buffanblu will try to dethrone Mililani at the state tourney.
Flu may be Mililani’s Illness didn't stop Mililani from winning the boys state high school soccer championship last Saturday, but it remains to be seen if the flu will have an effect on the school's girls team this week.
toughest opponent
The Trojans will have
to overcome illness to
defend their title on MauiBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comThe Trojans (12-0-1) are seeking to defend their title in the 2003 Meadow Gold Girls State Soccer Championship Tournament on Maui, but they've got many girls who are battling a flu virus this week.
"Half the team is just getting over the flu or just catching it," Mililani coach James Uson said. "Our main thing right now is to go to the states healthy. At practice (yesterday), we told the girls that taking care of themselves is the most important thing."
Despite a group of players suffering from the flu, the Mililani boys captured their third straight state title last Saturday with a 2-1 double-overtime win over Punahou.
The girls tournament starts tomorrow with the eight unseeded teams in action at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku. The four seeded teams -- Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Mililani, Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Punahou (9-0-1), Maui champion Baldwin (12-0) and Big Island champ Hawaii Prep (12-1) -- open Thursday.
The tournament continues through Saturday's 7:30 p.m. championship game.
"Defense is going to win it this year," Uson said. "And we can win it if our defense is strong. When we're organized in the back, we play much better offensively, too."
Goalkeeper Eryn Kishimoto, fullback Mallory Iha, halfback Jennifer Loo and forward Sarah Yoro have been main ingredients in the Trojans' mix. Striker Liane Tom and halfbacks Nicky Harris and Alexis Choi are also among the consistent, but more unsung, contributors.
"We have to worry about Aiea (11-3) and Hawaii Prep (12-1) in our bracket, but the other bracket is a tough one, with Pearl City (11-1-1), Baldwin (12-0) and Punahou (9-0-1)."
Baldwin, a two-time state champion under coach Kawika Keator, may have a home-island advantage.
According to Punahou coach Jorge Barbosa, you can't beat experience.
"Baldwin is always strong, and at 12-0, I don't care what they're seeded," Barbosa said. "They have state championship experience and they know what it takes to get there and do well."
As for the Buffanblu?
"It's time to take care of business," Barbosa said. "There are no weak teams when you get to this level. We've got the best team I've had in my four years here, chemistry-wise, and to me, that's the most important thing. You can have all the talent in the world, but you'll go nowhere if you don't have chemistry. We've been fifth and third at the states, but we want to win it finally, and I'm sure that's what every team is saying."
Barbosa knows beating the defending champion Trojans won't be easy.
"Mililani has so many good players; there's so many good kids in that part of town," he said. "And they've got good coaches at the club and high school level. They've really got a winner over there."
2003 Meadow Gold Girls
State Soccer TourneyTomorrow
At War Memorial Stadium
Game 1: Kealakehe vs. Kahuku, 1:30 p.m.
Game 2: Kauai vs. Kalaheo, 3:30 p.m.
Game 3: Pearl City vs. Hilo, 5:30 p.m.
Game 4: King Kekaulike vs. Aiea, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 20
At Keopuolani Park
Game 5: Losers of Games 2 and 4, 1:30 p.m.
Game 6: Losers of Games 1 and 3, 3:30 p.m.
At War Memorial Stadium
Game 7: Punahou vs. Winner Game 1, 1:30 p.m.
Game 8: Mililani vs. Winner Game 2, 3:30 p.m.
Game 9: Hawaii Prep vs. Winner Game 3, 5:30 p.m.
Game 10: Baldwin vs. Winner Game 3, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 21
At Keopuolani Park
Game 11: Losers of Games 8 and 9, 1:30 p.m.
Game 12: Losers of Games 7 and 10, 3:30 p.m.
At War Memorial Stadium
Game 13: Winners of Games 8 and 9, 5:30 p.m.
Game 14: Winners of Games 7 and 10, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 22
At War Memorial Stadium
Consolation championship
Game 15: Winners of Games 5 and 6, 1:30 p.m.
Fifth-place game
Game 16: Winners of Games 11 and 12, 3:30 p.m.
Third-place game
Game 17: Losers of Games 13 and 14, 5:30 p.m.
Championship game
Game 18: Winners of Games 13 and 14, 7:30 p.m.
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