Iolani, Kamehameha girls play to 0-0 tie
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Although the Iolani and Kamehameha girls soccer teams played to a 0-0 tie in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu match yesterday at Iolani, both coaches believe it was a turning point for their teams.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
"We started the season with little confidence, trying to find an identity," Kamehameha coach Michele Nagamine said. "Seeing today is like total night and day."
Iolani senior goalkeeper Kiani Wong makes a save in the second half against Kamehameha.
With the tie, Iolani (4-1-3) fell into second place, and Kamehameha (4-3-1) remained in third. Punahou (5-1-2) defeated Mid-Pacific, 5-1, yesterday at Iolani to take over sole possession of first place in the ILH.
About 2 1/2 weeks remain in the regular season, and teams are still fighting for the ILH's lone berth into the state tournament.
Iolani's only loss was last week in a 1-0 shocker to Pac-Five, and the team had a meeting the following day to recommit themselves to one another, according to Iolani coach Kari Morioka.
"I think they just needed to reconnect with each other," Morioka said. "I think it showed today. They took control."
Iolani senior goalkeeper Kiani Wong said if the Raiders played the Warriors the way they played against Pac-Five, they "definitely" would have lost yesterday's match.
"Today, we came out to play," she said.
It was a back-and-forth match yesterday, with both teams playing physical, aggressive soccer.
Kamehameha controlled the air, which allowed it to set up its offense, sending through passes behind Iolani's defense.
"We were expecting a lot of through balls because that's their style of play," Wong said. "I'm proud of the defense for the way they played."
Kamehameha threatened early, on a put-back off a corner kick that Wong scooped up two minutes into the match. Freshman forward Jaqueline Ho had one of the Warriors' best chances three minutes into the second half on a one-on-one with Wong, but Wong's diving play saved the goal.
Iolani found most of its scoring opportunities from way behind the penalty box. Long shots by senior midfielder Patricia Wong and sophomore forward Samantha Teramae from 30 yards out threatened in the first half, but were handled by Kamehameha junior goalkeeper Deysha Victorine.
"I think when they find the hunger in the box, that's going to be the turning point for us," Morioka said.
The Warriors have yet to beat Iolani or Punahou, but Nagamine said she was happy with the way the Warriors played, especially with the loss of seniors Jamie Benoza and Jordan Weeks to anterior cruciate ligament injuries before the season started.
"I hate the tie, but we've come a long way," she said.
Co-captains Caycie Gusman and Markee Nobriga both said the team has grown from the beginning of the season.
"From the beginning, everyone was having trouble trusting each other," Nobriga said.
Gusman said the biggest difference in yesterday's match was that "everyone had each other's backs and everyone was coming back on defense."
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
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Interscholastic League of Honolulu
Girls Varsity
Punahou 5, Mid-Pacific 1
Goals—Pun: Carly Wachi 2, Kellie Nakahara 1, Brittney Sanford 1, Rachael Lau 1. MPI: Miya Quinn.
Boys JV
Pac-Five 1, Saint Louis 0
Mid-Pacific 1, Kamehameha-White 0
Punahou-Gold 1, Kamehameha-Blue 0
Iolani 2, Punahou-Blue 1
O'ahu Interscholastic Association
Eastern Division
Boys Varsity
Kalani 3, Kaimuki 0. Goals—Kal: Tyler Hee Wai, Andrew Harano, John Chow.
Kaiser 2, Farrington 1. Goals—Kais: Jacob Curtis, Steele LeGros. Farr: Ioane Siuta.
Castle 3, Roosevelt 0. Goals—Reid Kanda, Kory Muraoka, Bryce Muraoka.
Moanalua 6, Kailua 1. Goals—Moa: Joey Nakamura 2, Colin Morikawa 1, Zach Gayagas 1, Jason Honjo 1, Rayden Tsutsui 1. Kail: Preston Nakata.
Kahuku 3, Kalaheo 3. Goals—Kah: Redmond Tutor, Koty Juliano, Spencer Hafoka. Kalah: Dylan Eichelberger, Nate Johnson, Dominic Simon.
Girls Varsity
Kalani 5, Kaimuki 0. Goals—Kal: Erin Arakaki, Raynani Camara, Starlie Chinen, Marcy Fujimoto, Kyla Tamayori.
Kaiser 4, Farrington 0. Goals—Kais: Kehau Kim, Samantha Yamamoto, Amanda Suiso, Rachel Tomita.
Roosevelt 1, Castle 0. Goal—Roos: Jenna Uyehara.
Moanalua 1, Kailua 0. Goal—Moa: Vanessa Butin.
Kalaheo 2, Kahuku 1. Goals—Kalah: Lauki'i Cheng, Kahili Cheng. Kah: Kelly Pao.
Girls JV
Castle 4, Roosevelt 0
Moanalua 2, Kailua 2
Kalaheo 1, Kahuku 0
