LIHU‘E — Not only do the Raider Wahine have a chance to complete an unbeaten season with a victory today, they can do so while being crowned as state champions. An early second-half goal from Malia Kagawa was the only
LIHU‘E — Not only do the Raider Wahine have a chance to complete an unbeaten season with a victory today, they can do so while being crowned as state champions.
An early second-half goal from Malia Kagawa was the only score for either side as Kaua‘i bested Kamehameha-Big Island, 1-0, in Friday’s semifinal contest at the JN Automotive/HHSAA Division II Girls State Soccer tournament at the Waipio Soccer Complex on O‘ahu.
Kagawa, a senior striker, scored in the 41st minute to provide the only leverage the Raiders would need.
Kaua‘i, which came into the tournament with a 6-0-1 record and as the bracket’s No. 3 seed, used a 3-0 win over Honoka‘a in Thursday’s quarterfinal round prior to Friday’s win to put itself in position for a title today.
Senior defender Teal Basquez was injured in the win and is doubtful for today’s match, according to Kaua‘i athletic director Ross Shimabukuro.
The one remaining obstacle will be in the form of Mid-Pacific, which is creating quite a story for itself, as well.
Having come into the tournament unseeded and with a season record of 3-9-0, Mid-Pac, which is one of only two Div. II programs in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, has won three straight matches to reach today’s final.
A 4-1 victory over Kalaheo in the opening round was followed up by a 1-0 win over No. 4 Seabury Hall in Thursday’s quarters.
Friday’s knockout punch came at the expense of the tournament’s top seed, as Hawai‘i Prep came up short in the 1-0 match.
Jennifer Sasaki scored in the fourth minute of play for Mid-Pac, which held on from there to stun HPA.
The two remaining championship hopefuls have given up just one goal combined in their five state wins this week.
The match is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in the Main Stadium of the Waipio Soccer Complex.
It will be broadcast live on OC16.
HPA and Kamehameha-Big Island will play at 1 p.m. in the third-place game.
Division I
In the Division I championship bracket, ‘Iolani continued to prove that seedings mean very little as it knocked out No. 2 Mililani, 3-1.
Sam Dacanay (12’), Mailia Brenna (45’) and Hana Tomozawa (73’) each scored for ‘Iolani, which came into the event unseeded and has reeled off three straight victories to reach today’s title match.
It started with a 3-0 win over Kapolei, then took out No. 3 Baldwin by a 2-0 score.
Its opponent will be the winner of the semifinal match between top-seeded Punahou and Kahuku.
The result of that Friday night contest was unavailable as of press time.
The Div. I championship is scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. at the Waipio Main Stadium and will be broadcast on OC16.
Consolation
Honoka‘a was a 5-1 winner over Leilehua in the fifth-place semifinals, as Kim Kishimoto and Monica Carlos had two goals apiece. Tialan Greenwell scored the fifth goal.
It will take on Seabury Hall for fifth place today, which was a 1-0 winner over Makua Lani behind a score from Lena Fox.
That match will be at 3 p.m. on Field 6, while the consolation final between Kalaheo and Radford will also kick off at 3 p.m. on Field 5.
In Div. I, Kamehameha-Maui picked up a 4-1 win over Hilo to reach the fifth-place game, today at 3 p.m. on Field 8.
It will take on Baldwin, which exploded for a 6-1 win over Pearl City, Friday.
Moanalua and Kapolei will be on Field 7 at 3 p.m. in the consolation final.
