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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 9:56 p.m., Monday, May 7, 2007

'Iolani captures ILH girls water polo tournament title

By KYLE SAKAMOTO
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nothing quite like a miracle shot in sudden-death overtime to win a first league championship.

Aja Kusao scored on a fade-away lob shot as the shot clock expired in the third overtime to lift host 'Iolani over Punahou, 9-8, today in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls water polo tournament final.

Kusao had the ball on the left side about 20 feet from goal and was under heavy pressure from a Buffanblu defender. She fired a high shot that went just out of the reach of the Punahou goalie into the top right corner of the goal at 1:56.

It was Kusao's only goal of the match.

"It was a lucky shot," Kusao said. "Punahou is a really good team and we feel that we could match them this year. We put our heart into it."

The Raiders and Buffanblu played 28 minutes of regulation, and two three-minute overtime periods prior to the sudden-death phase.

It was 'Iolani's first ILH championship and it will make its first state tournament appearance next week. An ILH school has won all three girls state water polo championships.

Earlier today, Kamehameha beat Pac-Five, 14-2, for third place.