Iolani fullback Branson Suzuki heads a ball against Saint Louis in an ILH Division I contest Saturday afternoon. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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_18012142_iolaniGOWCP.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

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A team hitting its stride against one that was shorthanded did not make for a competitive game.

No. 1 Iolani avenged an early season loss to No. 3 Saint Louis with a resounding 5-0 win Saturday at Kozuki Stadium.

The Raiders (7-2) pulled into a tie for second with the Crusaders (7-2) in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I standings. It was their seventh consecutive win — all shutouts — since losing to Saint Louis, 3-0, on Dec. 11. Both trail first-place Punahou (8-1), which still has to play Kamehameha and Saint Louis.

Freddy Mareels scored on a header in the 12th minute and the Raiders never looked back. Matt Anzalone, Brandon Simon, Jarin Simon and Jonah Kawamura also tallied goals for the Raiders.

Saturday was a far cry from the teams' last meeting. The difference was maturity.

"A lot of the kids on this year is young," senior midfielder Alex Liu said. "That was one of our first games, so it was a lot of nerves. But they got the experience they needed and we just came out with intensity. That was the whole name of the game today: just passion and intensity."

Added Saint Louis coach Rick Sandry: "They're a great team. They're hitting their stride."

Saint Louis had its four-game win streak snapped. But its fate might have been decided before it took the field. The Crusaders suited 15 players. Players missing were either playing in the Polynesian Bowl football classic, injured or on campus visitations.

"It is what it is," Sandry said. "Nobody's going to feel sorry for us. You still have to play with what you have. That's life. Sometimes it hurts and sometimes you get lucky."

The lack of depth was evident.

"The personnel always make a difference," Sandry said. "That's for sure and our weaknesses were exposed."

Saint Louis wasn't just fatigued, but frustrated. It was issued two yellow cards and a red.

"Composure's always a problem," Sandry said. "Guys get frustrated…composure's always a challenge.

Iolani put the pressure on Saint Louis on both sides of the field. The Crusaders didn't get many shots on goal, but when they got close, keeper Kaisen Nakagawa rose to the occasion.

"It feels great," Liu said of Iolani' defensive play. "I know the guys are putting in the work…they're putting their bodies on the line. I'm very proud of them. And our keeper, too, is unbelievable. Kaisen is a great keeper."

Ironically, the Raiders will be cheering for the Crusaders when the meet Punahou next Saturday. The Buffanblu would be closer to clinching the ILH title and state berth with a win. Only the top two teams quality for the D1 state tournament. Saint Louis can create a three-way jam by beating Punahou.

"They're a great team," Sandry said of Iolani. "They're hitting their stride. They woke up after the first couple of games of the season. They're hungry."