‘Iolani’s deny-ability

It was a spectacular display of goalkeeping prowess. ‘Iolani senior Lexi Felix leaped into the air, fell to the ground and rushed back into position to block three shots that came fast and furious for the Raiders girls soccer team against Kamehameha two weeks ago.

In the teams’ first-round clash this season, ‘Iolani’s Smurf-like defender, the speedy 4-foot-10 Ashley Park-Hunt, made sure to get her body in front of every ball she could reach to help stifle the Warriors attack and preserve a 2-1 triumph for the Raiders.

In ‘Iolani’s must-win victory over three-time defending state champion Punahou that kept alive ‘Iolani’s then-fragile state tournament hopes earlier this month, senior Amanda McCaskill, an outside fullback like Park-Hunt, was outstanding, including quickly transitioning to offense and twice penetrating deep into Buffanblu territory.

And junior center fullback and sweeper Taylor Kipilii, last season’s Interscholastic League of Honolulu defensive player of the year, continued to bring strong leadership, focused intensity and speed to the field.

Kipilii, Felix, Park-Hunt and McCaskill are the heart of ‘Iolani’s defense, the squad’s strength. It is one of the best in the state, recording 11 shutouts and limiting opponents to seven goals in 18 games. No team has scored more than one goal in a game against ‘Iolani this season.

Even without sharpshooting junior Kama Pascua, who was nursing an elbow injury, the Raiders won the Arizona Soccer Showcase tournament championship in Scottsdale, Ariz., against physically bigger mainland squads during the Christmas holidays by limiting their foes to two goals over six games. ‘Iolani averaged 1.67 goals a game.

The superior play of Kipilii, Felix, Park-Hunt and McCaskill was crucial in having the Raiders positioned to enter the state tournament undefeated (15-0-3, 9-0-3 ILH). The four defenders — each an all-state selection last season, with Kipilii first team and the others honorable mention — are emblematic of a resurgent, nationally ranked ‘Iolani girls soccer program that will be headed to its third consecutive state tournament under third-year head coach Kristin Masunaga. Prior to Masunaga’s stewardship, Iolani was absent from the tournament for a decade; its last appearance was in 1999, Masunaga’s senior year, when she led the ‘Iolani girls to the state title and was named the state’s girls soccer player of the year.

The latest Powerade Fab 50 national rankings, which reflect matches played through Jan. 15, have ‘Iolani at No. 47. The Raiders were picked as a top contender for this year’s state crown. Kamehameha is ranked No. 48.

"Going (to states) is not a surprise anymore," said Felix, whose goalkeeping style is fearless. "The expectation we hold for ourselves is high. We’re excited. We’re going to work hard (to win)."

In assessing Felix, Masunaga — a goalie during her playing days at ‘Iolani and Colorado College — said, "She’s money in the bank when she goes one v. one. She’s also a great leader, and a motivator of her teammates."

Felix became ‘Iolani’s starting goalkeeper in the middle of her sophomore season. Park-Hunt, McCaskill and Kipilii were immediate starters as freshmen.

Masunaga said the diminutive size of the 96-pound Park-Hunt has never been a liability.

"She manages to hold her own. Pound for pound, she is one of the best players out there," Masunaga said.

Park-Hunt said she has been the smallest player on the field for every game of her varsity career.

"I know I’m smaller. So I work harder to prove people wrong. I know a lot of people, when they look at me, underestimate me. And that works to my advantage," said Park-Hunt.

At 5-foot-8, 145 pounds, McCaskill is a self-described "beast" who has "a laid-back, friendly personality." Masunaga has used McCaskill as a striker when she wants a more physically imposing presence on the attack.

The ‘Iolani girls play a finesse style built on precision passing and dribbling, Masunaga added.

Kipilii was an outside midfielder and forward until last season, when she was moved to defense.

"She excelled," Masunaga said. "She has good fundamentals. She has a good field presence. One on one, she’ll stop ’em."

Kipilii’s powerful and accurate leg has also made her Masunaga’s choice for free kicks. During the Arizona tournament, she made three goals from 40 yards out, Masunaga said.

Kipilii, Felix, Park-Hunt and McCaskill stressed that while they take pride in their defense, their team is not one dimensional. It has offensive firepower and a deep bench, too, they said.

Seniors Twyla Hamasaki and Malia Brennan, who has been battling injuries, and juniors Jill Shimabuku and Pascua, who with 16 goals is likely to end up as the ILH’s top scorer when league play concludes this evening, also earned all-state recognition last season. To try to ensure that ‘Iolani attackers perform at a high-energy level for 7- to 10-minute bursts at a time, Masunaga freely substitutes her forwards and midfielders.

Last week, the Raiders ended league play by defeating Mid-Pacific and Pac-Five to ensure themselves of a berth in the four-day state tournament that begins Feb. 1 at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park. If Punahou beats or ties Kamehameha tonight, ‘Iolani will be the ILH champion and the league’s No. 1 seed in the state tournament. Kamehameha can join the Raiders in the tournament with a victory, giving it the ILH crown with a 10-1-1 record and 31 points, one more than ‘Iolani, or with a tie and a one-point finish behind Iolani. The Buffanblu’s only hope to reach the tournament is to beat the Warriors today and again in a playoff.

A key to how well ‘Iolani plays in the state tournament, Felix said, will be the team’s "mental preparation" — what others may call mental toughness. Reminders may be needed, said Felix, who, after a recent practice, was wearing a T-shirt that declared, "PAIN is temporary, VICTORY lasts forever."

"We all have the same goal: to do well," Felix said of herself and teammates.

And that goal includes winning ‘Iolani’s first girls soccer state championship in 13 years.