OIA Girls Soccer
Mililani wins 14th OIA crown with 2-0 win against Kaiser


  

Fri, Jan 18, 2013 @ Kaiser


Final 1st 2nd OT 2OT PK Tot
Mililani (13-2-1) 0 0 - - - 2
Kaiser (14-2-1) 0 0 - - - 0




HAWAI'I KAI-In blustery conditions on the host school's turf, visiting Mililani beat Kaiser, 2-0, Friday night to reclaim the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red girls' soccer championship.

The Trojans (12-0-1), who took third last year, won their 14th overall crown - by far the most in the OIA with Pearl City a distant second with seven - and sixth under 10th-year coach Ray Akiona.

The Trojans got their goals - one in each half - from a pair of reliable scorers. T.J. Reyno scored on a header off a corner kick from Alisha Miyashiro at 14 minutes, 46 seconds into the match and Brittney Gideon dribbled toward the net from 40 yards, drilling her kick from about 10 yards at 57:37.

The Cougars (11-1-1), making their first OIA title appearance since 1998 and looking for their first title since 1997, had their chances with the strong with at their backs for the second half. They had five of their six corner kicks in the second half, but the Trojans' defense, which has yet to surrender a goal this season, tightened up in the pinch to deny the Cougars.

"They not only had the wind, but Kaiser's a great team and they're really quick," Akiona said. "So it was a really challenging half for us. They put a lot of pressure. They had a lot of opportunities. But our defense comes through and I couldn't be any prouder."

The Trojans' fullbacks - Tarryn Miyamura, Shyani Terukina, Taylor Yoshiura and Madison Reed - simply made it tough on the Cougars to score. Goalie Tasalina Leoso held her own with nine saves.

"That defense is stellar," Kaiser coach Adolf Samuels said. "They're amazing back there. They just skip to the balls. They play four back. You have to try put more numbers (players) up, but you're afraid to put more numbers up because their midfield is so strong. It was difficult trying to get past them tonight."

The Trojans first score came when Miyashiro drilled her corner kick high toward the goal. The ball sailed over the goalie and a convergence of players from both teams toward the far end of the goal, where Reyno headed the ball in.

"I don't know," Reyno said. "Somehow, I always get to the ball. Even though I'm short, I still try my best to get to that ball."

Gideon's goal was against the wind, but it was off a shot that wasn't going to be affected by the wind. As she got closer toward the net, he low line drive wasn't going to be hindered by the elements.

Even leading entering the half, the Trojans were still concerned about the Cougars, who had the wind at their backs.

"We realized that we just had to drop back more," Gideon said. "We tried to send it back up, but it wouldn't go, so we tried to play it on the ground."

In consolation games at Kailua, Moanalua beat Pearl City, 2-1, for third place, and Kahuku beat Waianae for fifth place.

Mililani, Kaiser, Moanalua, Pearl City, Kahuku and Waianae will represent the OIA in the Division I state tournament, Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.



Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].




Show your support

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ScoringLive continue its mission to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage of high school sports in the state of Hawaii and beyond.

Please consider making a contribution today.



MORE STORIES

KIF on cusp of hosting D2 state tournaments in girls and boys volleyball

The Kauai Interscholastic Federation is expected to be included in the host rotations of the boys' and...

Track and field proposals among those being considered at HIADA conference

Athletics administrators from across the state are gathered at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, where the...

HHSAA inducts 44th class into Hall of Honor

Twelve student-athletes from 10 different schools and representing three of the state's leagues were...

Iolani's Nakanelua garners All-Hawaii Player of the Year honors

Senior setter Bailey Nakanelua was the engine that helped drive the Raiders back to the top of state...

Pearl City's Ngirmidol headlines All-OIA Division II picks

Chargers' setter Marley Ngirmidol named Player of the Year in OIA Division II; Pearl City head coach...

Moanalua sweeps All-OIA East Boys Volleyball top honors

Na Menehune outside hitter Lionel Gannon named Player of the Year and head coach Alan Cabanting named...