Mililani players celebrate after defeating Iolani in double overtime to win the school's first state title since 2002. Greg Yamamoto | SL

---

Mililani players celebrate after defeating Iolani in double overtime to win the school's first state title since 2002. Greg Yamamoto | SL

---

WAIPAHU - It was fitting that a fullback scored the game-winning shot in an incredible defensive game.

Kasey Isobe's 50-yard shot in double overtime lifted Mililani over Iolani, 1-0, Saturday night in the championship of the Outrigger Hotels Division I state girls' soccer tournament before 2,901at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.

Isobe, a fullback who contributed to keeping the Raiders from scoring, drilled a high arcing shot that bounced in the goal area and over goalkeeper Courtney Overland for the winning score in the 97th minute.

"I was very surprised," Isobe said of her shot. "All the credit goes to the other players. They lifted me up."

The Trojans (15-1-1) captured their first title since 2002 and fourth overall. It was the first title for coach Ray Akiona, who was humbled and gracious in winning.

"I think both teams won this game," he said. "Both teams played hard. They showed the community what girls' soccer is all about. They showed the league what it's all about. I gotta look away and even though we won in the end, I think both teams are winners. It's such a good display for everybody to see the talent that (the leagues) have."

It was battle of unseeded teams. The Trojans eliminated top seed Punahou in last week's regional quarterfinals. The Raiders (12-1-3) ousted second-seeded Campbell in Friday's semifinals. Iolani was the only unbeaten team in Division I before suffering its first loss against the Trojans. The Trojans' win snapped the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's 12-year reign.

"It feels amazing," Trojans senior halfback Robyn Peiler said. "I've been on the team three years now. We've always come so close each year and this year, my senior year, I knew it was finally going to happen. We felt it was our turn. You feel it when you walk on to the field. This is our day."

Raiders coach Kristin Masunaga did not even see the game-winning shot, as she was preparing another goalie in anticipation of the game going into penalty kicks.

"I didn't even see it," Masunaga said. "I was warming up Katie (Yuu) for the PKs. I saw it bounce, but I didn't see (the whole play).

The scoreless tie in regulation marked the fifth time it has happened in the 34-year history of the tournament. The Trojans had been on the losing side of a scoreless affair in 2004, when they lost to Punahou, 1-0, in PKs (2-1).

The first overtime was dominated by the Raiders, who had seven shots on goal, but failed to score, while the Trojans did not even have a shot try. But the second OT was the opposite, as the Trojans took three shots, while the Raiders had none.

"It was valiant effort by our girls," Masunaga said. "Just unlucky."

Besides being an aggressive defensive game, there were moments of sportsmanship on display. Several Iolani players went down with leg cramps in the OTs. Twice Mililani players helped the down player stretch out. Among them was Mililani senior halfback Robyn Peiler stretching out Iolani's forward Kristen Hori.

"We play for the same club team," Peiler said. "It felt kind of weird, but I felt I had to help her before she cramps up some more."

The win was nostalgic for two of Akiona's assistants. Jolie Nitta and Julie Suenaga were members of the Trojans' 2002 title team.

Division I All-Tournament Team (selected by media and HHSAA)

Kari Adams, Iolani

Rachel Bowler, Iolani

Aryanna Cabudol, Campbell
Tia Furuta, Mililani
Megan Goo, Iolani
Kristen Hori, Iolani

Kasey Isobe, Mililani

Aliani Lorenzo, Campbell

Malia Napoleon, Mililani

Taiana, Tolleson, Konawaena

Goalkeeper: Andrea Kenagy, Mililani
Most Outstanding Player: Kayla Braunthal, Mililani