Roosevelt does enough to win

Roosevelt's ability to make the most of its limited chances to score has the Rough Riders playing for a state soccer title.

State Girls Soccer: Division II At Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park Yesterday Consolation St. Anthony 1, Christian Liberty 0, PK Honokaa 1, Kapaa 0 Goal scorers--Hono: Beverly Quiamas. Semifinals Roosevelt 3, Kauai 2, PK Kamehameha-Hawaii 3, Campbell, 0 Goal scorers--Roos: Rachael Domingo, Kristin Ho. Kauai: Brandi Gomes. KSH: Jessica Marote 2, Bryanna De Lima. Today Consolation final Hawaii Prep vs. Sacred Hearts, 4 p.m., field 5 Fifth-place game St. Anthony winner vs. Honokaa, 4 p.m., field 6 Third-place game Kauai vs. Campbell, 2 p.m., stadium Championship Roosevelt vs. Kamehameha-Hawaii, 6 p.m., stadium

Despite being outshot 18-2, Roosevelt converted on both attempts and made all five shots in the penalty-kick shootout to pull out a grueling 3-2 win over Kauai yesterday in the semifinals of the JN Automotive Group/HHSAA Girls Division II State Soccer Championships at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park.

Roosevelt (14-1) faces Kamehameha-Hawaii (16-0) tonight at 6 for the championship. The Warriors defeated Campbell 3-0 in the other semifinal matchup.

"One more game to go and we can prove something," Roosevelt coach Shaina Caporoz said. "This (game) was a defensive battle. (Kauai's) physical size made them tough."

Kauai's Brandi Gomes doubled the number of goals Roosevelt had given up all season with two second-half scores to put the Red Raiders up 2-1. Roosevelt freshman Kristin Ho ended a 60-minute dry spell in which the Rough Riders didn't take a shot by breaking loose behind the Kauai defense and scooting the ball past goalkeeper Saryna Garcia to tie the game in the 68th minute.

"I owe it to all of my teammates," Ho said. "Without them, the ball never would have got there."

Roosevelt's only other shot came in the eighth minute on a goal by senior Rachel Domingo.

Other than that, it was all Kauai as the Red Raiders dominated possession of the ball and kept Rough Riders goalkeeper Joy Nakahara busy all game.

Nakahara gave up the two goals, but also had six saves in the second half as the Rough Riders forced overtime by swatting away shot after shot by Kauai.

"I thought we did well on the field, especially in the second half," Kauai coach Matthew Victor said. "We didn't push up the field too much because we didn't want them to counter with a quick goal, but I thought we did a good job of pressuring them."

Nakahara came up with a diving save in overtime on a shot by Ashlyn Ubongen that nearly ended the game. The Rough Riders didn't take a shot in the two 10-minute overtime periods, while Kauai had plenty of chances, but Nakahara came up big every time.

"(Kauai) plays very aggressively, but I trust my defense," Nakahara said.

The game came down to a penalty-kick shootout. Each team scored on its first two attempts, then the Rough Riders went up 3-2 on a shot by Ashley Okazaki. Nakahara came up with the only stop of the shootout, catching a shot attempt by Kylie Taniguchi. Roosevelt kept the one-shot lead and Domingo ended the game the way she started it, blasting a shot into the back of the net.

"It was frustrating, but we always seem to pull through," Domingo said. "I didn't think about anything. I was just super excited that we won."