Mililani wins title

One bad bounce decided what was perhaps the best display of girls soccer the state has seen.

A packed house at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium watched Mililani edge ‘Iolani 1-0 in the 97th minute for the Division I title in the Ohana Resorts/HHSAA Girls Soccer State Championships.

Kasey Isobe took a 45-yard chip shot. The ball took one high bounce and went over ‘Iolani goalkeeper Courtney Overland, who misjudged it on her way out to play it. The ball then rolled into the goal, causing an eruption of a celebration by the Trojans players.

The defeated Raiders broke down in tears in several groups on the field and received some comfort and consolation in the form of hugs by caring teammates.

"We came into this game and said we would not be disappointed," the Trojans’ Isobe said. "When I put the ball in, I knew that one of my teammates would get it. (They didn’t), but it was unfortunate for the goalkeeper. I think we tired her out."

These two teams went back and forth ferociously all night through 80 minutes of regulation and into the second 10-minute overtime period.

"I almost took her (Isobe) out," Trojans coach Ray Akiona said. "She’s been playing with bruised ribs. She told me, ‘I have to do this, Coach. We’ve got to get this done.’ So I kept her in.

"I look at this as both teams won. This was the best soccer we’ve seen. There was no winner in my mind. There was such poise and dedication to the sport by both teams. All of the girls are the winners."

Meanwhile, ‘Iolani coach Kristin Masunaga missed the winning goal because she was warming up backup goalkeeper Katie Yuu just in case the game went to penalty kicks. The PK portion was nearly there.

"I feel like we had our opportunities," said Masunaga, who added that she’s "very proud of what we accomplished this season."

Both teams were unseeded and both finished second in their leagues but made it to the final with impressive overall teamwork.

It was ‘Iolani’s first loss of the year. The Raiders finish 12-1-3.

"We’re sad and all, but we made it this far," ‘Iolani standout fullback Rachel Bowler said. "It was one helluva game. We were so close. We came out hard, but good for the Trojans. They played all-out, too."

For the Trojans (15-1-1), it’s their fourth state title and first since 2002.

Overland and Mililani goalkeeper Andrea Kernagy made several spectacular stops in regulation and overtime.

"It’s hard to believe," Isobe said 10 minutes after the game, still trying to get a grasp on the Trojans’ victory and her winning goal.