WAIPAHU - 'Iolani minimized Mililani's scoring opportunities with deft ball control in a 3-1 win Friday night in a semifinal of the JN Automotive State Division I girls' soccer tournament at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.

The Raiders (12-1-2) will take on top-seeded and two-time defending state champion Punahou (12-1-1) for the championship at 7 p.m. Saturday. 'Iolani is looking for its first title since 1999, or when its present coaching staff played.

The second-seeded Trojans (14-1-2), coming off a penalty-kicks win against Pearl City in Thursday's quarterfinals, had limited opportunities to score with just three shots on goal in part to 'Iolani's ability to control the ball.

"That's our strategy, to possess the ball, switch the point of attack," 'Iolani coach Kristin Masunaga. "This is probably one of the best games we've played this season. We're just happy we're peaking at the right time."

"They're a very skilled team," Mililani coach Ray Akiona said. "They move the ball as a unit and that's what keeps us chasing a lot. We were kind of frazzled at the beginning, trying to keep up with the play. Eventually, it caught up to us where we didn't have the legs."

They were tied at 1 at the half. 'Iolani took the lead on a header from six yards by Sam Dacanay. But Mililani's Alisha Miyashiro tied it on a 15-yarder from the right wing at the 23:06 mark on a shot that was partially deflected by an 'Iolani player, as goalkeeper Lexi Felix leaned away from the ball.

'Iolani broke the deadlock in the second half on goals by Malia Brennan and Hana Tomozawa.

The Raiders and Buffanblu will meet for the third time this season. Punahou won the first meeting, 1-0, on a goal that was scored in the waning seconds. 'Iolani won the second meeting, 2-0, setting up Saturday's rubber match.

Masunaga and assistants Jamie Shoma and Jodi Tanga were teammates on the Raiders' last state title team in 1999, the head coach said.

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