The Kalani Falcons locked up a chance to defend their state boys soccer title with another impressive defensive effort.

Junior Michael Stafford made four saves and William Pineda-Abaya and Takahiro Kosins each scored goals as Kalani posted its fourth consecutive shutout with a 2-0 victory over Kalaheo in the OIA Red quarterfinals on Wednesday at Kaiser Stadium.

The Falcons (9-2) will face Kapolei (10-1) at 5 p.m. today in the first semifinal. Each of the four teams that advanced on Wednesday secured a berth in the state tournament in two weeks.

"It’s going to be on TV (OC 16) — there’s going to be a bigger crowd, but yeah, the fact that we had to battle and survive this win should really propel us into (today)," Kalani coach Michael Ching said.

Ching has pulled off one of the more impressive coaching jobs in the OIA this season, revamping a Falcons team that lost nine starters and 13 seniors from last season’s state championship squad.

After starting 4-2, the Falcons won their final four games, outscoring their opponents 11-1 to clinch the East’s No. 1 seed in the OIA playoffs.

"Just so impressed — so incredibly proud," Ching said. "We lost everybody. We have only three guys that played for us last year, and to win the East, get to the semifinals, get into states, I’m so unbelievably impressed."

The Falcons have allowed only two goals in their last seven matches with Stafford in goal after senior Shawn Donnelly got hurt.

After a relatively quiet first half, Stafford came up with two big saves late in the second half when Kalani was only up one against the Mustangs (8-3).

"I never imagined going to playoffs, and now with this win we’re going to states," said Stafford, who is one of three returnees from last year. "I was nervous at first, had a couple of jitters here and there, but after a while I got the butterflies out and started commanding my box and making saves."

Kalaheo ramped up the pressure in the second half, and got off a few good looks late.

Kalani put the game away when Stafford drilled a goal kick with the wind to his back deep down the field. The ball bounced into the hands of Kalaheo goalkeeper Jack Bell before squirting loose and Kosins was able to put it away in stoppage time to allow the Falcons to move on.

"They lost their mind for a little bit in the second half," Ching said. "(Stafford) had a couple of tentative games early on, but after that he’s been aggressive, he’s making saves, he held the ball in, he’s been awesome."

The game was scoreless in the opening 20 minutes, with both teams failing to get off any clean looks at the opposing goal.

The turning point came off a Kalani corner kick that got lost in a pile of people in the middle of the box. The ball eventually bounced toward the foot of Pineda-Abaya, who was able to sneak one into the net for a 1-0 Kalani lead.

Coincidentally, Pineda-Abaya’s only other goal this season came in a 4-1 victory over the same Mustangs team.

Kalaheo will play Moanalua in a consolation match today at Leilehua at 6:30 p.m., with the winner qualifying for states and the loser calling it a season.

Kaiser 3, Pearl City 0

Jake Niiro, Thomas Buntenbah-Leong and Sylas Keb found the net to lead the Cougars over the Chargers.

Kaiser faces Mililani at Kapolei in the second semifinal matchup at 6:30 p.m.

Kapolei 1, Moanalua 0

Shandon Hopeau scored the game’s only goal as the Hurricanes shut out Na Menehune.

Mililani 3, Kahuku 0

Jeron Cunningham and Landon Tenny hit the back of the net as the Trojans whitewashed the Red Raiders.

OIA WHITE BOYS

Roosevelt 3, Waialua 1

Ryan Chun, Guhn Park and Chad Morishige scored to lead the Rough Riders over the Bulldogs. Thomas Pule scored for Waialua.

Roosevelt plays Leilehua at Kapolei at 5 p.m. on Friday for the OIA White championship.

Leilehua 3, Waipahu 0

John Enos, Demar Stewart and Nathan May scored as the Mules topped the Marauders.

ILH BOYS

‘Iolani 2, Pac-Five 1

KJ Ahlo and Kei Tomozawa scored to lead the Raiders past the Wolfpack. Zachary Trevorrow scored for Pac-Five.