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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, January 31, 2008

Christian Liberty squeaks past Kaimuki, 2-1

Photo galleryPhoto gallery: HHSAA State Girls Soccer Division II Tournament

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Christian Academy's Lexi Seese, protects the ball against Kaimuki. Seese scored with five seconds left in regulation.

JON BELLO | Special to The Honolulu Advertiser

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HHSAA SOCCER DIVISION II

Today's games

At Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Park

Consolation bracket

Both games at 1 p.m.

Kaimuki vs. Hawai'i Prep, field 9

Waialua vs. Sacred Hearts, field 10

Quarterfinals

All games at 3 p.m.

Roosevelt vs. Christian Liberty, field 9

St. Anthony vs. Kauai, field 10

Kamehameha-Hawai'i vs. Honoka'a, field 11

Kapa'a vs. Campbell, field 12

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WAIPAHU — The Division II girls soccer state tournament's tiniest school advanced to today's quarterfinals by the tiniest of margins yesterday.

Christian Liberty, a Big Island Interscholastic Federation school with about 100 students in grades 9 through 12, rallied past Kaimuki, 2-1, in penalty kicks to improve to 9-7 in regular and postseason play.

The Canefire, the BIIF's No. 3 seed, will play O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Conference champion and No. 1 seed Roosevelt (12-1) in today's quarterfinals at 3 p.m. at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Park.

In other 3 p.m. quarterfinals at Waipi'o, Kaua'i (5-3-1) will face No. 4 seed St. Anthony (5-7-2), Honoka'a (8-8) plays BIIF champion and No. 2 seed Kamehameha-Hawai'i (14-0), and Campbell (11-2-1) meets No. 3 seed Kapa'a (7-0-1).

Christian Liberty, located in Kea'au, finished sixth in last year's DII state tournament. But the Canefire found themselves on the brink of the consolation bracket yesterday until sophomore Lexi Seese's short goal tied it 1-1 with five seconds remaining in regulation.

After two scoreless five-minute overtime periods, Christian Liberty won the penalty kick shootout, 3-0, after keeper Damita Rodriguez blocked the Bulldogs' first shot and Kaimuki's next two shots sailed over the right post.

Bre Becker, Maile Carigon and Seese connected on the Canefire's first three penalty kicks.

"Last year's team was all heart, after winning just three games the year before," said Christian Liberty coach Tom Carigon. "And this year's group of seniors is amazing."

But Carigon said the Canefire came out flat in the first half yesterday and the Bulldogs took advantage, with Landai Truong's goal in the 39th minute giving them a 1-0 lead.

It appeared as if that lead would hold, until Christian Liberty was awarded a direct kick with under 20 seconds remaining. Maile Carigon sent the kick to the back post, where Seese touched it in with her left foot.

"I feel for Kaimuki, because we've been in that situation before where you come so close," Tom Carigon said.

Shooting first in the penalty kick shootout, Kaimuki's attempt was shot straight at Rodriguez but blocked.

Becker then put her attempt into the upper right corner.

The Bulldogs' second attempt sailed over the right post, and Carigon made it 2-0 in the shootout with a low shot into the left corner.

Kaimuki again sailed its kick over the right post on its third attempt, then Seese sealed it with a shot into the lower right corner.

CAMPBELL 3, SACRED HEARTS 2 (OT)

Brandi Baetz scored two minutes into overtime to lift the Sabers.

Campbell took a 1-0 lead on an own goal in the 16th minute, then Ciera Aiwohi tied it for the Lancers (2-10-1) in the 21st minute. The Sabers went up 2-1 in the 38th minute on a goal by Rochelle White, but Sacred Hearts tied it again in the 51st minute when Logan Chan found the net.

HONOKA'A 1, WAIALUA 0

Rachel Miller scored in the 13th minute and the Dragons withstood seven second-half shots by the Bulldogs (10-3-1).

Honoka'a, which finished fourth among the BIIF Division II teams, has only one senior on its 20-person roster.

"We had five freshmen in the starting lineup today," said Dragons coach Jo Kim. "We have a lot of feisty kids who have played a lot of youth soccer. It didn't bother me that we have only one senior."

Waialua also fields a young team, with only three seniors on its 21-person roster.

"We had a good season, and this was a good experience for us," Bulldogs coach Charlyn Sales said. "They fought hard and worked hard to get to where we're at."

KAUA'I 3, HAWAI'I PREP 0

Skye Shimabukuro scored in the sixth minute and Brandi Gomes and Ashlyn Ubongen added goals in the second half as the Red Raiders shut out Ka Makani (9-6).

Read Wes Nakama's blog on prep sports at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.