WAIPAHU - Punahou returns to the title game for the second consecutive year after beating second-seeded Baldwin, 3-0, Friday night in the semifinals of the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Division I state boys' soccer tournament.

The Buffanblu (9-3-3) will be seeking its unprecedented 19th state crown when they take on Interscholastic League of Honolulu rival and top-seeded 'Iolani (14-0) for the championship set for 7 p.m. Saturday at the main stadium of the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex.

This will be the third time this season the Buffanblu and Raiders will play each other. The Raiders beat the Buffanblu, 2-0 and 4-2, during the regular season. This will be the 13th time the two soccer powers - 'Iolani has the second-most titles with eight - will play for the state championship. Punahou leads, 8-4.

State tournament title games between 'Iolani and Punahou

1979    Iolani 1, Punahou 0
1982    Punahou 1, Iolani 0 2 OT
1985    Punahou 3, Iolani 2 2 OT
1986    Punahou 3, Iolani 2
1987    Iolani 1, Punahou 0
1988    Iolani 1, Punahou 0 (PK 5-4)  
1991    Punahou 4, Iolani 0
1992    Punahou 1, Iolani 0  OT
1996    Punahou 2, Iolani 1
1997    Iolani 1, Punahou 0
2006    Punahou 2, Iolani 0
2010    Punahou 1, Iolani 0

Punahou methodically dismantled the previously unbeaten Bears (11-1-2). Just 11 minutes into the game, Steven Yoshimoto scored from 10 yards down the middle to give the Buffanblu a 1-0 lead.

About five minutes later, Yoshimoto assisted with a cross to Alec Dinsmore, who scored from about six yards out to make it 2-0.

Ten minutes into the second half, Antonio Espinoza scored to make it 3-0.

Punahou dominated offensively, taking 19 shots on goal, 11 of which were saved by Bears' goalkeeper Benjamin Wuthrich.

The Bears managed 11 shots on goal, but Punahou goalie Henry Engel had seven saves, six in the second half.

Last year, Punahou lost the title game to Kalani, 3-2, in penalty kicks (3-2).