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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, January 28, 2007

Kapolei girls top Kaiser, 3-2

High school soccer photo gallery

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Mililani's Stephanie Yoro, left, jumps to head the ball in front of Kalaheo's Mika Kehrer.

Photos by ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Kaiser's Jena Stomber leaps over Kapolei's Pua Pedrina while chasing the ball during the first half at Mililani High School.

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The Kapolei girls soccer team qualified for the state tournament for the first time after outlasting Kaiser in penalty kicks.

Kapolei defeated Kaiser, 3-2, in one O'ahu Interscholastic Association quarterfinal game Saturday night at Mililani High School after an 80-minute regulation period and 20 minutes of overtime.

Kapolei (9-2-3) outscored Kaiser (7-3-3), 4-3, during penalty kicks. Kapolei's Jara Leanio, Chaney Lopez, Kirsten Otsuka and Liana Gualdarama made their kicks for Kapolei, and Hurricanes goalkeeper Ashlee Dela Cruz stopped Kaiser's first two shooters.

"I just went with my instincts and did it for the team," Dela Cruz said. "I felt pressure, but the team needed me."

Kapolei advances to play Mililani in the semifinal round Wednesday at Moanalua High School at 5:15 p.m. Kalani and Pearl City play in the other semifinal at 7 p.m. All four semifinalists receive berths into the state tournament. The OIA receives sixth berths in all.

"Our team is such a faith-based team, we give all the glory to God," said Kapolei coach Brian Beck, who said that's why the Hurricanes weren't rattled when they were down. "It brings the entire team together; we're so unified."

Gualdarama scored in the second minute on a cross from the right by freshman midfielder Kristina Behrens. Behrens' cross from the right side bounced across the front of the goal to Gualdarama who was running on the far side.

"It's almost like we scored too early," Beck said. "They took us out of our game in the first half. We regrouped in the half and played the way we wanted to play."

Kaiser junior midfielder Amanda Suiso tied the game at 1 in the 10th minute. Freshman defender Amy Austin took a free kick from the right corner of the 18-yard box, which Dela Cruz couldn't control. The ball bounced to Suiso, who was crashing the goal.

"I felt really bad about the first goal," Dela Cruz said.

Kaiser junior midfielder Michelle Takahashi scored a penalty kick in the 52nd minute after a Kaiser player was pushed in the 18-yard box.

With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Otsuka tied the game at 2 with assistance from sophomore forward Chelsea Swann, who allowed the ball to run through her legs to throw off Kaiser goalie Carianne Makino.

"Their goalkeeper is one of the best we've faced," Beck said. "She played tremendously."

Makino made one save during penalty kicks. Kaiser's Takahashi, Rachel Tomita and Austin made their kicks.

"Considering they played last night and the way they did tonight, (Kapolei) did a good job," Kaiser coach Adolph Samuels said. "I'm proud of (the Cougars)."

MILILANI 3, KALAHEO 0

The Trojans advanced to their ninth straight semifinal game off goals from sophomore Chelsey Goo and seniors Stephanie Yoro and Natalie Wong.

"It's been a while since we've played," Mililani coach Ray Akiona said. "We've been anxious to get back on the field."

Goo scored off a long pass into the 18-yard box with less than a minute in the first half.

Yoro, who leads the team with 11 goals, scored on a header off a corner kick from sophomore Isabel Romero in the 65th minute.

Wong scored on a pass from junior Allison Kagawa just before time expired. Wong shot near the top of the 18-yard box, and her shot deflected off a Mustangs defender and into the goal.

SATURDAY

INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE OF HONOLULU

GIRLS VARSITY

MID-PACIFIC 4, ST. FRANCIS 0

Goals-MPI: Melissa Gomes 2, Amanda Lee, Sahara Searle.

KAMEHAMEHA 4, 'IOLANI 2

Goals—KS: Jennifer Eugenio, Amber Fuller, Sanoe Souza, Mari Punzal. Iol: Sammi Teramae, Kirsten Adams.

PUNAHOU 0, PAC-FIVE 0

O'AHU INTERSCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION

GIRLS VARSITY

RED DIVISION TOURNAMENT

SECOND ROUND

KAPOLEI 3, KAISER 2 (2 OT, PK 4-3)

Goals—Kap: Liana Gualdarama, Kirtsen Otsuka. Kais: Michelle Takahashi, Amanda Suiso. PK—Kap: 1-Kirsten Otsuka. 2-Chaney Lopez. 3-Jara Leanio. 4-Liana Gualdarama. Kais: 1-Michelle Takahashi. 2-Rachel Tomita. 3-Amy Austin.

KALANI 3, CASTLE 0

Goals—Kal: Tani Costa 2, Erin Arakaki.

MILILANI 3, KALAHEO 0

Goals—Mili: Chelsey Goo, Stephanie Yoro, Natalie Wong.

PEARL CITY 2, MOANALUA 0

Goals—PC: Katie Scarlett Marquardson, Chloe Maeshiro.

GIRLS JV

RED DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

MILILANI 2, PEARL CITY 0*

Goals—Mili: Kylie Ann Kanda, Mari Miyashiro.

*Mililani has won its 7th consecutive championship since inception year 2000-01.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.