WAIPIO- A goal from the elusive AJ Johnson lifted the Owls of Mid Pacific Institute over Hawaii Preparatory Academy by a score of 1-0. The win tonight marked MPI's second consecutive HHSAA Division II state championship.

"It's great, the girls were amazing," MPI head coach David Pai said. "It's all for the girls who just kept working all year."

The only goal of the game came during the 17th minute of the first half off by MPI's AJ Johnson. The junior finished the ball into the net after a deflection by the Hawaii Preparatory Academy keeper. A shot was taken initially by junior Julie Khil, but after a block by the HPA keeper placed the ball in perfect position for Johnson to finish the ball for the goal.

"It really felt great," Johnson said. "I was just in the right place at the right time."

Johnson, who was also named the Most Outstanding Player, was not 100 percent healthy when she played the game tonight. With multiple injuries including two ACL tears, an MCL and a PCL tear, she played the championship match with a brace on her knee. Her ACL injury she suffered from actually came exactly a year ago tonight.

"It was great coming back," Johnson said. "I started cramping a bit and my knee was a little sore but besides that I felt fine.

Hawaii Prep tried frantically to even the score, with several opportunities throughout the game. But despite their efforts, Ka Makani could not come up with the win.

"It's a tough one, couldn't get anything going." HPA head coach Stephen Perry said. "But we went down battling. I'm proud of them."

With the championship win tonight for Mid Pacific Institute, they now have claimed title two years in a row. After two seasons with successful outcomes, a rising question for the Owls is if they deserve to compete at the Division I level.

"I honestly think we do," Johnson said. "I think we can. We just all work together perfectly and we have great players."


2012 Division II All-Tournament Team (selected by HHSAA staff)

F - Kiana Forsythe, Kalaheo
F - Rachel Hinkel, Kapa'a
F - Nanea Tavares, Hawai'i Prep
F - Bri Vallente, Hawai'i Prep
M - Kera Akiyama, Kamehameha-Hawai'i
M - Jannin Hashizume, Kaua'i
M - Taylor Higa, Mid Pacific
M - AJ Johnson, Mid Pacific
M - Julie Khil, Mid Pacific
D - Allie Shiraki, Honoka'a
GK - Hannah Unger, Hawai'i Prep

Most Outstanding Player: AJ Johnson, Mid Pacific