WAIPIO - A showcase performance from Tyler Matas lifted the Trojans of Mililani over the Pearl City Chargers. The 3-0 victory puts the top-seeded Trojans into the semifinals, where they will face 'Iolani, a 1-0 winner over Kealakehe.

"I'm very happy with them," Mililani coach Jeff Yamamoto said. "We played okay. We kept control of the ball a lot better, so I thought we played alright."

The first goal came off the foot of Mililani senior Tyler Matas in the 27th minute of the first half. Connecting after a cross from junior Jeremy Laguana, Matas leaped for a header to finish the ball into the back of the net. Matas would also be a part of the second goal for Mililani.

"Jeremy crossed it and I just jumped to get it," Matas said. "I knew it was going in when I headed it."

Matas, a transfer player from Leilehua, has more than proved his value to the Trojans. The senior captain is the leading scorer for Mililani and one of the main reasons they are playing in the state tournament.

"We count on him to make plays," Yamamoto said. "(Matas) is a great player; we try to put him in position to make goals for us."

It was a goal off the leg of Mililani�s Jake Sagami that gave the Trojans a 2-0 lead in the second half. The senior scored the goal after a throw in by Matas in the 51st minute. Sagami took advantage of a mishandle by the Pearl City keeper and finished the bouncing ball into the back of the net.

The Trojans tacked on another goal late in the 80th minute of the second half. A cross connected with junior Evan Wilson, who was there to finish the goal with a header. The goal by Wilson sealed the game for Mililani with a 3-0 score.

"Our players are all unique," Yamamoto said. "If we were missing any of them, there would definitely be a big hole."

Pearl City had a couple surges of drives throughout the game, but the Trojans defense kept strong and held the Chargers to the shutout.

Although the goals by Matas, Sagami and WIlson contributed to the win by Mililani, it was the Trojans defense that stepped up ultimately to give them the victory.

"We were pretty organized in the back," Yamamoto said. "I was pretty happy with their performance."