Posted on: Saturday, January 8, 2005
Trojans set up, then down Chargers, 2-1
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
MILILANI — The Mililani boys soccer team has built a reputation for set pieces over the years, and for good reason.
The Trojans again capitalized on their bread and butter, scoring two goals on set pieces (a play designed for a restart) last night to earn them a 2-1 win over Pearl City in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division boys soccer match at Mililani.
"That's what Milila-ni does; that's their specialty," Pearl City coach Wade Higaki said. "They have a system that has been there for a while, all they do is reload."
Junior defender Michael Smith and junior midfielder Justin Iha scored goals off set pieces for the Trojans (5-0-1), who handed the Chargers (4-1-0) their first loss of the season.
"We worked on it, especially prepping for this game and the games to come, knowing full well we might need it," Mililani co-head coach Steve McGehee said. "This is the first game we look good with it."
Smith scored on a 25-yard direct kick in the 59th minute, on a shot ripped so hard, the Pearl City goalkeeper could barely get his fingertips on the ball.
"I was just thinking about keeping it on frame," Smith said. "We practiced a lot on that yesterday."
Smith, who is also listed as a back-up goalkeeper for the Trojans, said the shot is difficult to stop, because, "Even with the wall, there's no really knowing where the ball is going."
Iha added an insurance goal in the 67th minute, on a header from a corner kick by senior midfielder Justin Ching.
"Today's game was critical; we needed to hit it and we got it down," Ching said.
Iha scored after Pearl City senior forward Steven King made good on a penalty kick three minutes later. Pearl City earned the penalty kick after junior forward Mark Matsumoto was taken down in the box.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
Western Division
Boys Varsity
Mililani 2, Pearl City 1
Goals—Mililani: Justin Iha, Michael Smith. Pearl City: Steven King.
Leilehua 3, 'Aiea 0
Goals—Leilehua: Daniel Phelps, D.J. Tanda Jr., Syd Tom.
Waialua 2, Campbell 1
Goals—Waialua: Diego Reverberi 2. Campbell: Auina Leiato.
Wai'anae 2, Waipahu 0
Goals—Wai'anae: Anthony Albios, Joshua Woodard.
Boys Varsity
Mid-Pacific 2, Hawai'i Baptist 0
Goals—Mid-Pacific: Justin Akai 2.
Punahou 9, Damien 0
Goals—Punahou: Kirkland Lozada 3, Shane Kutaka, Deryck Lim, Micah Keaney, Aaron Muw, Jaymie Ayson, own goal.
Kamehameha 2, Pac-Five 1
Goals—Kamehameha: Zane Dydasco, Kekoa Osorio. Pac-Five: Jeremy Wittig.
Iolani 4, Saint Louis 0
Goals—Iolani: Riley Bruhn, Kirtus Adams, Micah Kalama, Raymond Machi.
Junior varsity
Iolani 2, Kamehameha Blue 1
Pac-Five 3, Kamehameha White 1
Punahou Blue 8, Saint Louis 0
Punahou Gold 6, Mid-Pacific 1
OTHER OIA MATCHES
ILH
