GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Moanalua's Lani Moniz went for the header against Kealakehe yesterday.

Minor saves Wildcats

Second chances are golden and Marissa Minor made the most of hers yesterday.

HHSAA girls soccer At Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park Seeds: 1. Punahou. 2. Aiea. 3. Baldwin. 4. Hilo. Yesterday Game 1: Pearl City 6, Kapaa 2 Ê2: Mililani 2, King Kekaulike 0 Ê3: Konawaena 2, Kailua 1, PK Ê4: Moanalua 3, Kealakehe 2, OT Today Ê5: Kapaa vs. King Kekaulike, 1 p.m. Ê6: Kailua vs. Kealakehe, 1 p.m. Ê7: Baldwin vs. Moanalua, 1 p.m. Ê8: Aiea vs. Konawaena, 5 p.m. Ê9: Hilo vs. Mililani, 3 p.m. 10: Punahou vs. Pearl City, 7 p.m. Tomorrow 11: Losers of Games 9 & 10, 4 p.m. 12: Losers of Games 7 & 8, 4 p.m. 13: Winners of Games 7 & 8, 6 p.m. 14: Winners of Games 9 & 10, 8 p.m. Saturday 15: Winners of Games 5 & 6, 4 p.m. 16: Winners of Games 11 & 12, 4 p.m. 17: Losers of Games 13 & 14, 6 p.m. 18: Winners of Games 13 & 14, 8 p.m.

The sophomore goalkeeper came up with a huge stop as Konawaena rallied to defeat Kailua 2-1 on penalty kicks (7-6) in the opening round of the HHSAA/Meadow Gold Dairies Girls Soccer State Championship at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park.

The Wildcats (12-5) face No. 2 seed Aiea (12-1-1) today in the quarterfinals at 5 p.m.

The shootout was even at 6-6 when Minor dove left and stuffed a penalty kick by junior Christine Nishida.

Jennie Barto's kick ricocheted off the left pole and rolled into the net to clinch the win for the Wildcats.

"I usually try to read which way they're trying to go. It's better than standing in the middle," said a jubilant Minor. "It was a rally and it felt like it was going on and on. When I finally got that one, it felt really good."

Minor wasn't feeling so good earlier in the game. She made a mistake clearing a ball that led to an easy score by Kailua's Tanya Sasaoka in the 21st minute of the second half. The goal gave the Surfriders (8-3-3) a 1-0 lead, but junior midfielder Jamie Hirai evened the score 4 minutes later at 1-1 to give Minor a major chance at redemption.

"We all stepped up," Minor said. "Our defenders played really hard. I'm proud of them. They didn't make many mistakes. I was so happy when Jamie scored. I actually started crying. They weren't outstanding. If it wasn't for me messing up then we would have won the game in regulation."

Despite the error, Wildcats coach Guy Miranda had full faith in his keeper.

"I trust her as well as I would a seasoned four-year goalie," Miranda said. "She seemed so calm and cool. She's a great keeper.

"She held up during the game. She never fell apart. She toughened up and played like I know she can. I trust her through anything. We're just lucky to have her."

The Surfriders played most of the game without leading defender Kealoha Kane, who was injured in the first 15 minutes of the game.

Moanalua 3, Kealakehe 2

The Menehunes (8-2-4) overcame a slow start and scored first in overtime to beat the Waveriders.

Kealakehe (13-5) led 2-0 early in the game after two goals from junior Laura Franke. The Menehunes cut the Waveriders' lead in half on a goal by Ayasha Abut in the 28th minute. Moanalua sophomore Ashley Dolan knotted the score 3 minutes into the second half.

In overtime, senior Kim Ito got a pass from Abut, settled the ball and shot over the goalkeeper to end the match 3 minutes into the extra period.

"I was just thinking, 'Oh my gosh, this is my chance.' I was hoping I didn't miss," Ito said. "We started kind of slow in the beginning, but we picked it up after. We always get scored on in the first 10 minutes. Our coach told us we needed to pick it up."

The Menehunes listened and move on to play No. 3 seed Baldwin at 1 p.m. today.