Most coaches would be surprised to win a state championship in their first year at the helm.

But not Kamehameha girls water polo coach Danielle Mulford.

Kamehameha scored two power-play goals in the fourth period to hold off Kahuku, 5-3, yesterday in the final of the Local Motion/HHSAA Girls Water Polo State Championships at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

It was the first state title for the top-seeded Warriors, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion. League rival Punahou won the first two tournaments.

When asked if she was surprised her team won the title in her rookie season, Mulford said: "No, I knew the team I was inheriting was No. 2 in the ILH and had seen them play when I was at UH. I knew with a little bit of coaching, they could do this. I didn't have any doubt at all."

Mahinamele Reyes put Kamehameha up 2-0 by scoring on the Warriors' first possession and again with 6:05 left in the second period.

"It was a great kick start for us, got our spirits up," Reyes said.

Kahuku, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association runner-up and No. 2 seed, got within 2-1, 3-2 and 4-3, but couldn't get the equalizer.

"It seems like every time we were getting opportunities it was just a little bit of nerves and little bit of fatigue," Kahuku coach Aukai Ferguson said. "Kamehameha is obviously the best team in the state and you don't pick the No. 1 seed out of a hat. I'm proud of my girls for hanging in there."

The Warriors' fourth-period power-play goals were scored by Hanalei Crowell with 4:40 remaining and Nanea Fujiyama with 1:39 left. Until then, Kamehameha (11-1) had been unsuccessful on two power-play opportunities.

"We've been trying to focus a lot on power plays," Mulford said. "It's a really important part of winning close matches."

In the second quarter, Kamehameha's Karie Nickle was ejected for a brutality foul.

According to Mulford, Nickle "accidentally kicked somebody in the face."

"It was really difficult to adjust because we lost our lefty in the second quarter," Mulford said of Nickle, who scored five goals against Roosevelt on Friday. "She's a huge part of our power play and our counter-attack."

Kamehameha had three shots hit off the post in the first half, and Kahuku goalie Ella Aiwohi made four tough saves over the final four minutes of the third quarter. Morgan Wright played the first half in goal for Kahuku.

"Whenever you have your goalie, your last line of defense, put that kind of effort in, it keeps everybody inspired," Ferguson said.

Kamehameha's Liz Hanohano-Hong, who had a goal and assist in the first half, was named tournament MVP. She scored four goals in three matches.

"It's really surprising, really unexpected," she said. "I wasn't expecting anything like that. I just play for my team and my school."

Noe Wicker, Meme Moody and Gina Ahue scored for Kahuku (15-1).

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.