[ HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS ]
Punahou earns big
win over Warriors
If there's one thing the Punahou Buffanblu are beginning to prove this season, it's never to count out the defending ILH champions.
Stephen Carlson's goal in the 25th minute was the only score of the game as the Buffanblu defeated Kamehameha 1-0 yesterday, leapfrogging them over Pac-Five and into third place in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, just one point behind the Warriors.
"We had a terrible start, but our players have really stepped it up and this was a big win for us," Buffanblu head coach Bob Clague said.
A 2-0 loss to Kamehameha earlier in the season dropped Punahou's record to 1-3 in ILH play. But after a sit-down talk with the team and the shifting of players into different positions, the boys have responded by going 6-0-1 in their last seven games.
"We might have had some players playing out of position, and we were being generous on defense, but after working those things out, these guys have improved every game and have grown as a team," Clague said.
Yesterday's game showed the improvement, as Punahou was able to gain an ounce of revenge from the earlier loss to Kamehameha.
With the game scoreless, Punahou forced a turnover and brought the ball upfield with crisp passing. Eventually, Kirkland Lozada got the ball on the wing and sent a perfect cross to Carlson, who headed in the game's only goal.
"I didn't touch the ball at all for the first 10 minutes, but (Lozada) hit me with a perfect pass and I was able to put it in," Carlson said.
With the lead, the Buffanblu were able to play tough defense, limiting Kamehameha's chances to just a couple of deep shots that flew over the goal.
"Those shots they took late in the game actually helped us because it took time off the clock," Clague said. "Kamehameha played hard and we really had to work in order to get this win."
The win puts Punahou at 7-3-1. Kamehameha is 7-2-2, with Pac-Five at 6-2-2. The top two teams in the ILH advance to the state tournament.
"After starting so poorly, our backs have been against the wall, but we've gotten more aggressive and we just are taking each game the same," Carlson said. We just need to win, that's the bottom line."
ILH
Varsity boys
Mid-Pacific 4, Damien 2
Punahou 1, Kamehameha 0
St. Louis 2, Hawaii Baptist 1
Goal scorers--MPI: Jared Yamauchi 2, Chris Domingo 1, Shinji Takahashi 1. Dam: Kenneth Pichay 1, Cory Mullen 1. Pun: Stephen Carlson 1. StL: Zack De Silva 1, Jim Terry 1. HBA: Cameron Holm 1.OIA
Junior varsity girls semifinals
Mililani 2, Castle 0
Pearl City 2, Kahuku 0
Goal scorers--Mil: Kirsten Fujimoto 1, Seneca Black 1. PC: Michelle Maeda 1, Valerie Ochoa 1.
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Mililani tops Moanalua 1-0
Sarah Yoro scored in overtime as Mililani defeated Moanalua 1-0 in the first round of the OIA Girls Soccer Championships last night at Kahuku.
Alexis Choi passed the ball over the Menehune (6-3-2) defense to Yoro on the left side who controlled the ball and took the shot.
The Trojans came out shaky but made some adjustments to matchup better against Moanalua.
"The biggest adjustment was winning the air balls first," said Mililani coach Ray Akiona. "We concentrated on being first to the ball and winning the air balls."
Mililani (8-2-1) travels to Eastern Division champion Castle (9-0-1) tonight.
Akiona said the Knights are well organized and one of the keys for his squad is to "have more balance on the passing attacks."
Kalaheo 4, Leilehua 1
Mililani 1, Moanalua 0 OT
Kahuku 5, Radford 0
Kapolei 2, Roosevelt 1
Goal scorers--Kalh: Chelsea Anglin 2, Tina Garcia 1, Kahili Cheng 1. Lei: Charlene Borromeo 1. Mil: Sarah Yoro 1. Kah: Kahanu Ah Puck 1, Cassy Young 1, Vailima Walker 1, Karla Tailele 1, Noell Au 1. Kap: Amanda Richardson 1, Jaymie Honold 1. Roos: Nani Chock 1.