Sometimes all you need is one — and ‘Iolani got it.
Senior Twyla Hamasaki’s goal in the 31st minute wound up being the only score as the Raiders held off Maui Interscholastic League champion Baldwin 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts/HHSAA Girls Soccer State Championships on Thursday at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.
‘Iolani advances to its second straight state semifinal, where it will play No. 2 seed Moanalua today at 7.
"We have some unfinished business," said Hamasaki, whose ‘Iolani team lost to Punahou in the state final a year ago.
Her goal was the only one of 34 ‘Iolani shots that got past Baldwin goalkeeper Analea Martin.
Martin’s 18 saves kept the Bears (13-2) in the game but Baldwin struggled to get good looks at the goal after some early chances.
"‘Iolani just beat us to the ball. That was the difference in the game," Baldwin coach Kawika Keator said.
Baldwin got behind the ‘Iolani defense twice in the first 10 minutes, forcing Raiders goalkeeper Lexi Felix to make two diving saves.
From then on, the Bears struggled to find any openings on offense and were under constant pressure from a relentless ‘Iolani attack.
Junior Kama Pascua had her way in the middle of the field, getting more shots on goal than Baldwin did the entire game.
But it was a perfect pass to Hamasaki that set up the game’s only goal. Pascua’s ball was put far enough in front of Hamasaki on the left side that Martin tried to beat the ‘Iolani forward to the ball.
Hamasaki was a step early and flicked the ball past a diving Martin into the net.
"Kama sent a nice through ball that gave me an open shot and I made a play on it," Hamasaki said.
It’s the second straight year ‘Iolani has beaten Baldwin in the state quarterfinals. The Bears are still the only neighbor island team to win a non-Division II state girls soccer title and are one of only two non-ILH teams to win in the past 15 years.
‘Iolani hasn’t won since 1999, when head coach Kristin Masunaga and assistant coaches Jamie Shoma and Jodi Tanga were on the team.
Masunaga said they’ll have to improve on converting scoring chances, which they got in bunches on Thursday.
"We’ve got to finish our opportunities," Masunaga said. "It’s much easier playing with a two or three-goal lead."
Na Menehune (11-0-3) and the Raiders (11-0-3) are the only two remaining undefeated teams in Division I.
Moanalua 2, Pearl City 1, 2 OT
Kylie Mitsuda scored the winning goal from close range near a crowded goal in the 95th minute to rally Na Menehune (11-0-3) past the Chargers (10-2-4) to advance to the semifinals.
Pearl City led 1-0 at halftime on a goal by Lauren Takai (22nd minute). The lead held up until Casey Tabion tied the game in the 71st minute.
Pearl City will play Baldwin today at 3 p.m. on Field 8.
Kamehameha 5, KS-Maui 2
The No. 1-seeded Warriors of Oahu spotted the Warriors of Maui a 2-0 lead before Tia Kinilau scored a hat trick as Kamehameha advanced to today’s semifinals.
After Lily Higashino (4th minute) and Julia Saffery (16th) scored to give Kamehameha-Maui a 2-0 lead, Kinilau went to work. She scored in the 29th minute, then tied the game in the 34th minute. Carly Neal (36th) then gave the Warriors a 3-2 lead at halftime. Abcde Zoller (58th) scored to make it 4-2 and Kinilau (68th) completed her hat trick for the final score.
Kamehameha (11-1-1) will play Mililani today at 5 p.m. at the main stadium. Kamehameha-Maui (11-3-2) will play Kealakehe at 3 p.m. on Field 7.
Mililani 2, Kealakehe 0
Shyana Terukina (12th minute) and Kristen Fujinaga (20th) staked the Trojans to a 2-0 halftime lead that stood as Mililani (12-2-1) beat the Waveriders (14-1) and advanced to today’s semifinal against No. 1 seed Kamehameha.
Consolation Bracket
Kapolei 1, Kaiser 0
Bianca Gonzales scored in the 51st minute as the Hurricanes (10-4-1) beat the Cougars (11-3-1). Kapolei plays Konawaena at 3 p.m. Saturday on Field 7 for the consolation title.
Konawaena 2, Aiea 1
Kaulana Ruedy (52nd minute) and Lia Ruedy (66th) scored second-half goals, rallying the Wildcats (11-4-1) past Na Alii (6-10), who led 1-0 at halftime behind Raisa Strom-Okimoto’s goal.
DIVISION II
Mid-Pacific 4, Radford 2
The Owls (6-6-1) blew to an early lead behind goals from Taylor Higa and cruised past the Rams (4-10-1) to advance to today’s semifinals.
Mid-Pacific jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first 23 minutes with goals by Higa (3rd minute and 8th), Julie Khil (13th) and Coby Yoshimura (23rd). Radford got goals from Abigail Granger (61st) and Emily Irwin (77th).
Mid-Pacific will play Kapaa at 3 p.m. on Field 11. Radford will play Waipahu at 3 p.m. today on Field 9.
Kapaa 3, Waipahu 1
The Warriors (5-3-2) got a goal by Taylor Ochoa in the first minute and defeated the Marauders (8-5) to advance to the semifinals.
Kapaa also got goals from Cassie Wilson (20th) and Rachel Hickle (46th), while Jahna Tacson (39th) scored for Waipahu.
Kauai 3, Kalaheo 2
Malu Vegas scored in the 71st minute to provide the winning margin for the Red Raiders (8-0-1) against the Mustangs (8-5) to advance to today’s semifinals.
Jannin Hashizume (16th minute) and Cascade Mayer (52nd) also scored for Kauai, while Kalaheo got goals from Kiana Forsythe (28th) and Kiana Bowman (74th).
Kauai will play Hawaii Prep at 3 p.m. on Field 12. Kalaheo will play Makua Lani at 3 p.m. today on Field 10.
Hawaii Prep 5, Makua Lani 0
Ka Makani (14-1) got goals from Nanea Tavares (26th minute), Jessica Benioni (35th), Bri Vallente (55th), Katie Case (61st) and Meimei Nakahara (75th) to devour the Lions (8-9).
Consolation Bracket
Kamehameha-Hawaii 2, Seabury 0
The Warriors (10-5-1) got goals from Kera Akiyama (34th minute) and Sharayah Ah Chong (73rd) to beat the Spartans (3-8-4).
Kamehameha-Hawaii will play Honokaa at 3 p.m. on Saturday on Field 9 for the consolation title.
Honokaa 1, Leilehua 0
Allie Shiraki scored in the 20th minute to lift the Dragons (9-7) over the Mules (4-10-1).
