Kalani Takase | ScoringLive
February 17, 2012, 10:26pm
Torquato puts Mililani back into Division I title game
Mililani's Renato Torquato beats the 'Iolani defense for a goal in the 44th minute. Greg Yamamoto | SLA crowd of about 400 braved blustery conditions at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium and saw the Trojans improve to 14-0-1 in advancing to Saturday's championship final, it's first state title game appearance since 2009, when it lost to the Raiders.
Mililani, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association titlist and No. 1 seed, will play Kalani in the 7 p.m. championship -- the first all-OIA final since 1981. The game will follow the Division II final between Kapa'a and Honoka'a at 5 p.m. Both games will be televised live statewide on OC16.
"It's a great feeling knowing that we're back in the championship game," said Torquato, who has scored nine goals this season. "We've worked hard to get here and now that we're here, we have to finish this run."
The Trojans, whose only blemish this season was a 1-1 tie against Kapolei back on Jan. 3, won four straight state crowns from 2000 to 2004.
The scoring play began on a Mililani throw-in, which found its way near goal, but was batted away by 'Iolani goalkeeper, Josh Adachi. However, the rebound came off to Torquato, who followed the loose ball and booted it into the right side of the goal.
"I was really relieved when I scored," said Torquato, a senior forward/midfielder. "It really pumped up the team and picked us back up."
Torquato said the loss to 'Iolani as a freshman in the state title game was a reminder of how close the Trojans were that season.
"I remember it vividly, like it was yesterday, and it just gave me more motivation to get back here," said Torquato, who will play at Division-I UC Irvine next year.
The game was physical as the teams combined for 26 fouls and three yellow cards. 'Iolani out shot Mililani, 14 to 7.
"('Iolani) is a terrific team, they're super good, so I think it was quite an accomplishment for us to beat them," Trojans' head coach Jeff Yamamoto said.
After a first-round bye, Mililani shutout Pearl City, 3-0, in Thursday's quarterfinal round. The all-OIA final means it will be the first time since 2004 that a non-Interscholastic League of Honolulu team will win the state tournament.
'Iolani fell to 9-2-2 and will play Kapolei in the 3 p.m. third-place game Saturday.
"I told my team that they should be proud of our efforts," Raiders' coach Chris Lee said. "They came out and played our game and it was one of those situations where the ball just didn't bounce our way today."
"It's a great feeling knowing that we're back in the championship game," said Torquato, who has scored nine goals this season. "We've worked hard to get here and now that we're here, we have to finish this run."
The Trojans, whose only blemish this season was a 1-1 tie against Kapolei back on Jan. 3, won four straight state crowns from 2000 to 2004.
The scoring play began on a Mililani throw-in, which found its way near goal, but was batted away by 'Iolani goalkeeper, Josh Adachi. However, the rebound came off to Torquato, who followed the loose ball and booted it into the right side of the goal.
"I was really relieved when I scored," said Torquato, a senior forward/midfielder. "It really pumped up the team and picked us back up."
Torquato said the loss to 'Iolani as a freshman in the state title game was a reminder of how close the Trojans were that season.
"I remember it vividly, like it was yesterday, and it just gave me more motivation to get back here," said Torquato, who will play at Division-I UC Irvine next year.
The game was physical as the teams combined for 26 fouls and three yellow cards. 'Iolani out shot Mililani, 14 to 7.
"('Iolani) is a terrific team, they're super good, so I think it was quite an accomplishment for us to beat them," Trojans' head coach Jeff Yamamoto said.
After a first-round bye, Mililani shutout Pearl City, 3-0, in Thursday's quarterfinal round. The all-OIA final means it will be the first time since 2004 that a non-Interscholastic League of Honolulu team will win the state tournament.
'Iolani fell to 9-2-2 and will play Kapolei in the 3 p.m. third-place game Saturday.
"I told my team that they should be proud of our efforts," Raiders' coach Chris Lee said. "They came out and played our game and it was one of those situations where the ball just didn't bounce our way today."
