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Michael Lasquero | ScoringLiveJanuary 24, 2024, 11:25pm
Wed, Jan 24, 2024 @ Waipio
WAIPAHU — When it pours, it rains.
So did the goals for the Punahou girls soccer team.
Seniors Xehlia Salanoa and Sachie Ilae scored two goals apiece as the top-ranked Buffanblu dominated No. 2 Kamehameha, 4-0, to win their 22nd ILH title on a rainy Wednesday afternoon at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.
It was the first league crown since 2017 for Punahou, who secured a first round bye in next week's Motiv8 Foundation girls soccer championships.
The Buffanblu (9-1) also rebounded from their first loss of the season, dropping a 1-0 contest just four days prior against the Warriors (8-2).
"We had a rough week last week, we were flat against Iolani, flat against them, so it was a good wake up call and honestly we needed the lost to refocus them," said Punahou coach Shelley Izuno. "I'm just super proud of their effort."
Punahou's change in demeanor was apparent from the get-go.
The Buffanblu set the tone with a score in the third minute that featured multiple passes. Midfielder Nicole Beauchemin won possession of the ball beyond midfield before passing it up ahead for Ally Yoshimura. The ball was then played to Emily Daehler, who got it ahead for Salanoa for a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
"We just knew we had to connect with each other and play our game which is playing on the ground and connecting and finding feet," said Salanoa. "When Emily played that through ball to me I knew I just had to get it into the back of the net."
In addition to possessing the ball, Punahou did a better job at finishing second-chance opportunities. Salanoa cleaned up a long shot attempt by Maya Yoshimura late in the 38th minute to give the Buffanblu a 3-0 lead at the break. The senior forward needed to fend off a defender near the back post before nudging the ball into the net with her midsection on a leaping attempt.
"On Saturday (against Kamehameha last time), we were kind of hesitant and we needed to make sure that we were more reactive to the ball and anticipate the ball better rather than just standing around," said Salanoa. "So when Maya kicked the ball, I just had to be ready."
The second goal scored by Salanoa was her ninth of the season, a welcome sign for a player that has battled through sickness for majority of the season.
"I got sick three weeks ago before the first Kamehameha game, but I knew I had to push through for my team," said Salanoa. "I had stuffy nose, I had a really bad cough and I just went to the doctors two days ago and I finally got medicine so my cough is cleaning up and we're just ready to take on states and do what we got to do."
Ilae, who scored her seventh and eight goal of the season, got into the scoring column on Wednesday with a penalty kick in the 33rd minute thanks to a foul that midfielder Carly Cormack drew after she kept possession alive in the goal area after corralling a corner kick that was wide of the target.
The final score of the match came after Ilae finished off a free kick opportunity by Beauchemin in the 55th minute.
"I was just grateful that Nicole was able to kick it on frame and I was able to finish it," said Ilae.
Goalkeepers Trisha Nitta and Xeyana Salanoa combined for the shutout for Punahou, the team's eighth of league play. The Buffanblu has allowed just two goals all season.
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