Posted on: Saturday, May 14, 2005
Kahuku, Punahou will play for girls state crown
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kahuku received a big game from a freshman, while Punahou cruised behind its all-around team performance yesterday in the semifinals of the HHSAA/Local Motion Girls State Water Polo Championship.
Freshman Gina Ahue snapped a 3-3 tie with two third-quarter goals as Kahuku defeated Hilo, 6-4, and Punahou exploded for six first-quarter goals to rout Roosevelt, 13-1, at the University of Hawai'i's Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
The Red Raiders and defending champion Buffanblu will meet for the championship at 7 tonight.
"This is something that we worked hard for," said Kahuku coach Aukai Ferguson, whose team finished third in the state tournament last season. "To be here, at the top of the heap, it's a dream come true."
Kahuku took a 4-3 lead with 5:54 left in the third quarter on Ahue's first goal. Ahue scored again just over two minutes later on a breakaway for a 5-3 lead.
"My adrenaline was going crazy," Ahue said of the goals. "I just thought, 'I have to get it in,' because this could make a big difference in the game."
The Red Raiders increased their lead to 6-3 on Rebecca Fonoimoana's fourth goal of the game with 4:49 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Hilo closed to 6-4 on Ka'ipo McKeague's second goal with 2:52 remaining but would get no closer.
"I was really proud of the girls because they really played so well," Hilo coach Ron Koehler said of his team. "But we made the kind of mistakes that you would expect from a team that's not quite experienced. We panicked a little and were a little too anxious."
In the other semifinal, Punahou took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter behind three goals by Kelly Samples and goals by Natale Rigg, Meleana Carr and Rachel Cote.
The Buffanblu added two goals in the second quarter by Gina Coscina and Kulani Jenkins before Roosevelt's Marissa Young scored with 48 seconds remaining. The Rough Riders trailed 8-1 at halftime.
"I've just been happy with the way we've played for the whole week," Punahou coach Ken Smith said.
Punahou added five goals in the second half by Cote, Jenkins, Kelli Moy, Kellen Fletcher and Beth Knorek.
Punahou's defense did the rest and shut out the Rough Riders in the second half.
"It was good tonight," Punahou's Spenser Rigg said. "We stole a lot of balls. Everyone was working hard. We didn't take them lightly. Everyone did an awesome job on defense."
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.
