Punahou's boys soccer team avenged its lone loss of the season with a 2-0 shutout of host Mid-Pacific yesterday.

The Buffanblu (5-1-2) got goals from Sean Hungerford and Christian Patmont, and effectively returned the favor after the Owls downed Punahou 5-1 on Dec. 10 behind Cory Sullivan's four-goal effort.

“;We tried to come out with enthusiasm, and gained the early momentum,”; said Punahou coach David Trifonovitch of his squad's opening goal in the fourth minute. Hungerford headed Lucas Lam's corner kick past Mid-Pacific goalkeeper Tyler Doo for a 1-0 lead.

“;It was important (to score quickly), but we got complacent after that,”; said Trifonovitch. “;It feels good to get back at them, but we wanted to get a few more. It was important to get the win, but unfortunately we're in a situation where every game is a must win.”;

Trifonovitch was referring to the log jam atop the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I standings, which, entering play yesterday, show Punahou in third place, one point behind Kamehameha and two points behind 'Iolani. The top two teams qualify for states.

The Buffanblu play Kamehameha on Saturday in a rematch of a game Punahou won 3-0 earlier in the season.

Mid-Pacific (1-5-0) had a handful of scoring chances, but came up just short on each. Sullivan had a chance to tie the score in the 19th minute with a wide-open shot on goal, but the junior pushed his effort right of the goal. Just 4 minutes later, the Owls used a corner kick to get the ball into Punahou's goal area, but Buffanblu goalie Gavin Matsukawa punched the ball away to nullify the threat.

After a string of fouls called to curb increasingly rough play, Punahou widened its lead to two goals with 15 minutes to play as Patmont got loose on a breakaway down the right sideline after being set up by a handful of crisp passes from teammates. With an uncontested look at the goal, the junior midfielder rocketed his shot past Doo to effectively ice the victory.

“;I was very happy with the effort,”; said Mid-Pacific assistant coach Nick Chapin. “;We only have three seniors, so that's exciting for next year, but our captains have set the bar really high.”;

Owls coach Marc Miranda was forced to move to the Big Island for his job earlier in the season, but he has worked with his assistants to keep a consistent game plan, and will fly back and forth to Oahu in the upcoming weeks to coach his team in as many games possible. Miranda will also make it a point to coach Mid-Pacific in the Division II state tournament, for which the squad has already qualified by virtue of being the ILH's lone eligible team at that level.

The Owls host 'Iolani on Saturday.