PEARL CITY — The Mililani girls soccer team got goals from three different players and used a suffocating defense on its way to a 3-0 victory over Pearl City last night.

A crowd of about 500 at Edwin "Bino" Nieves Stadium saw the Trojans improve to 5-0 and claim sole possession of first place in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West Division. The Chargers fell to 2-1-1.

Chelsey Goo got Mililani on the board off an assist from Mari Miyashiro in the fourth minute. Miyashiro sent the pass from the left side of the 18-yard box back to Goo, who drilled a right-footed shot over the outstretched hands of the Pearl City goalkeeper to put her team up, 1-0.

"We had a lot of adrenaline going before the game, but Chelsey's goal definitely settled us down," senior halfback Isabel Romero said. "But we knew we couldn't get too comfortable because if they scored it's tied again and it's anyone's game."

Pearl City struggled to gain any kind of momentum the rest of the first half and went into the intermission facing a one-goal deficit.

"Mililani is a very good team. They got an easy, early goal that pretty much set the tempo for the rest of the game," Pearl City co-head coach Frank Baumholtz III said.

The Chargers had their best scoring opportunity early in the second half on a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box. After a foul was called on a Mililani defender, junior Kristy Iwahashi took the free kick for Pearl City, but Rosie Nakata's save ended the Chargers' scoring threat.

"We have a lot of confidence in her back there," said Mililani head coach Ray Akiona of his junior goalie. "Her ability in goal allows the rest of the defense to have more mobility, knowing that she can make those saves."

Romero found the goal in the 59th minute off a free kick from Goo, who was about 35 yards out, to extend the Trojans' lead to 2-0.

"Chelsey kicked it, it hit the post, it shanked off Mimi (forward Kristen Nakagawa) and I kicked it in backdoor," Romero said.

Goo added: "We always practice set pieces so we pretty much know where to go."

Mililani added a goal in the 63rd minute on Chelsea Miyake's free kick from 40 yards out.

Miyake and Goo — both midfielders — were Advertiser first-team all-state selections last season. Last night, the duo kept the Chargers' offense at bay and controlled possession for much of the game.

"We couldn't penetrate through their defense and when we did, (the ball) didn't go to us," said Baumholtz, who has lost six players to knee injuries this season.

Akiona said his team executed its game plan well.

"Pearl City is a very strong, attacking team and so we wanted our fullbacks to not hold on to the ball as long and get it upfield quicker," Akiona said. "I'm proud of the defense, they always work so hard."

Mililani, which won its second game in as many nights after a 2-0 win over 'Aiea Thursday, hosts second-place Kapolei (3-0-1) Tuesday.