No. 1 Punahou posts statement win over No. 2 Kamehameha

Nicole Beauchemin (8) scored and assisted on another goal on a pair of free kicks to power the Buffanblu in a rematch of last year's state title game. Michael Lasquero | SL

KAPALAMA HEIGHTS — The rematch of last year's state title game was a one-sided affair.

No. 1 Punahou dominated No. 2 Kamehameha Friday afternoon in a battle of unbeatens with a 4-0 victory in an ILH contest at Kunuiakea Stadium.

Nicole Beauchemin scored and assisted on a goal on a pair of free kicks and Sachie Ilae found the back of the net two times to power the Buffanblu (7-0).

Hayley-Scott Recarte scored on a late goal in the 78th minute for the final points.

Goalkeepers Trisha Nitta and Xeyana Salanoa combined for the shutout, Punahou's sixth of the regular season. The Buffanblu have allowed just one goal thus far in league play.

Beauchemin got the scoring started in the 12th minute when she fired a free kick from the left flank from 35 yards out. Her high-arching boot traveled over the field of play and was just over the jumping reach of the Kamehameha keeper.

Ilae scored her first goal of the afternoon in the 25th minute to help Punahou take a 2-0 lead at the break. The play started with a cross by Jaci Nakamura dribbling down the right sideline. Erika Marciel brought pressure down the middle of the field, which forced the Kamehameha keeper out of goal. Ilae then cleaned it up from the left side when her shot hit the left post and skirted into the back of the net.

The third goal of the game came in the 54th minute when Beauchemin delivered a free kick just outside of the goal area to Ilae, who beat her defender for a wide-open shot at the net.

Punahou will close out the regular season with a home game against Iolani on Tuesday and a home game against Kamehameha on Saturday.

The Warriors (5-1) have games against Mid-Pacific and Punahou to close the season, but they also have to make up a game against the Raiders that was postponed on Monday due to weather.