Punahou's Antonio Espinoza tries to control his dribble against Iolani. Evan Asato | SL

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Punahou and Iolani players battle for control of the ball. Evan Asato | SL

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IOLANI - For at least one more game, the ranks of the unbeaten in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's Division I will remain unchanged.

Despite going down a player late in the game, a key defensive play by Punahou's Royce Romero helped the Buffanblu hold the Raiders of Iolani to a 0-0 tie Tuesday afternoon. With no overtime in the regular season, both teams would leave the game without a loss on their record.

"The intensity of this game was really high," said Romero. "Considering Iolani is a really strong team this year, I want to say we did alright."

The score remained scoreless throughout the first half. Both Iolani and Punahou matched each other shot for shot with six total shots on goal each. The momentum of the game shifted however during the second half.

A penalty in the box caused by the Punahou keeper sent him out of the game with a red card, putting the Buffanblu at ten players as well as a penalty kick in the box for Iolani in the 58th minute. The shot, taken by Iolani's KJ Ahlo, bounced off the right side of the goal and back into the field of play.

"Obviously, getting an opportunity like that… we were deflated a little," said Iolani coach Chris Lee. "Those things happen in the course of the game. Just got to deal with it."

Romero, the center defender for Punahou, stepped up to the plate with the loss of his keeper. Heading Iolani crosses out of the air and intercepting Raider passes, the senior defender helped the Buffanblu defense hold Iolani to one shot on the goal following the penalty kick (three shots on goal pre-penalty).

"(About red card) I was a little shaken up, that doesn't happen too often," said Romero. "I tried to stay as composed as I could. Keep my head and stay focused on what I had to do."

The physical matchup with Punahou and Iolani ended as a tie. Both teams combined for a total of 32 penalties throughout the game and one red card.

"Iolani, Punahou games; they're all scrappy games," said Lee. "Always come out hard at each other."

Iolani moves on to play Saint Louis while Punahou goes to play Kamehameha. Both games will be on Friday afternoon.

"With the red card, I'm alright with a tie because you can't do much with ten players," said Romero. "I'm satisfied; hopefully we can bring it into the (next game)."