Top-seed Iolani shuts down Moanalua, 2-0


WAIPIO- What started off as 0-0 halftime score ended in a 2-0 victory for the Iolani Raiders.

Seniors Jill Shimabuku and Ashley Park-Hunt scored a goal a piece in the win over OIA powerhouse Moanalua Thursday night. The Raiders (12-1-1) advanced to play Kaiser Friday in the semifinals of the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts/HHSAA Division I Girls Soccer State Championships.

"We're happy with the way we played," said Raiders coach Kristin Masunaga. "Definitely things we have to do better in order to relax tomorrow.

Despite the lack of scoring in the first half, Iolani dominated in nearly all phases of the game during the opening period. Time of possession and shots on goal were all in the Raiders favor, with the Na Menehune only breaking half line and possessing in Iolani territory for a total of eight minutes.

"We started possessing well in the beginning," said Masunaga. "Had opportunities that we should have finished that would have taken some stress off our backs.

"For a lot of us, it's our first time at states," said Park-Hunt. "So being under the lights is a whole new feeling. So I think for the first half it was just getting used to it."

After constant waves of attack from the Iolani strikers, the Raiders finally got on the board three minutes into the second half. Jill Shimabuku collected a pass at the top of the Moanalua 18-yard box and, with an excellent first touch; took a few steps and drilled the ball into the back of the net. Her goal would come in the 43rd minute of play.

"Jill is one of our captains," said Raiders coach Kristin Masunaga. "Very composed and just put it away

Seven minutes later, the next score rolled in. Senior Ashley Park-Hunt took advantage of a mishandle by the Moanalua keeper and tapped the ball for a slow rolling shot into goal. The score by Park-Hunt put the score at 2-0 at the 50th minute of the second period.

Shimabuku and Park-Hunt account for eleven goals so far this season for Iolani.

"That was actually really lucky," laughed Park-Hunt. "I guess she had went to grab the ball and it slipped out of her hands and then I just poked it in. Probably the slowest rolling goal I ever seen in my life."

Park-Hunt, coming off an ACL injury, was moved to forward for this matchup against Moanalua. The four year player spent her first three years as a defender at Iolani.

"(Park-Hunt) she's just a hustler," said Masunaga. She's a three year starter at defender. But torn ACL…she knows her body can't physically do what a defender needs to do. We have her up top and she works hard. Just hustles."

The ILH champions will play Kaiser tomorrow for the state semifinals. Kaiser just came off a win earlier today against Konawaena with a score of 4-0.

"I think we are prepared," said Masunaga. "It's going to be a tough game. Every game is going to be a tough game," she continued.



Reach Aven Santiago at [email protected].