Iolani punches ticket to states with shootout win over Kamehameha

Greg Yamamoto | SL

It took quite a bit longer and much more dramatic than the Raiders faithful wanted, but Iolani is heading back to the Division I state tournament for fifth straight time.

"These boys they work so hard and I really believe we can make it all the way," said Iolani senior Duke Mijo. "So this is everything. I'm so proud of my boys."

Iolani gutted out a 2-1 win over Kamehameha via penalty kicks that seemed somehow destined to be decided via shootout from the get go.

And with the score knotted at one goal each after regulation and two overtimes resulting in a continued stalemate, high drama via penalty kicks would be the decider.

Through the first three rounds of the shootout things remained deadlocked, but Iolani got a key stop from Isaak Tanaka in the fourth round, slapping the Kamehameha shot away with an outstretched arm to set the Raiders up for the win.

"Isaak props to that guy, he called it," exclaimed Mijo. "He told us he's going to save one so just ours away."

Tanaka's save set the stage for Zach Gaoiran who stepped up and calmly tucked the ball into the right side of the goal to end it.

The home team Raiders took an early lead on a Jaxon Kahawai goal in the first half before surrendering the equalizer in the 49th minute of the second, as Tanoa Tinao found himself a empty net score after the Iolani goalie was caught out of position after trying to secure a 50-50 ball.

Finding the equalizing goal was just what the doctor ordered for Kamehameha, and provided much a needed lift to a team that found little success prior to that in the attacking half against Iolani.

Ultimately it came down to making one stop, just like Tanaka called it.

"I knew I just had to make one save and I trusted my teammates to make their kicks," said Tanaka. "I guessed the right way on that one and it paid off."

The win by the Raiders marked the first one over the Warriors this year, as the two teams played to 1-1 and 2-2 ties in matches this season prior to today's result.