Kalani, Mililani oust top ILH teams

Go ahead, tell Kalani goalkeeper Michael Stafford he wasn’t the man of the night.

Stafford and the Falcons defeated ‘Iolani 1-0 in the Division I semifinals of the Ohana Resorts/HHSAA Boys Soccer State Championships on Friday night at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium. They move on to meet Punahou/Mililani for the title Saturday night.

After regulation and two overtimes, the match went to penalty kicks, and that’s where Stafford’s elite skills elevated more than usual. He made three diving saves on seven Raiders shooters, the biggest coming on the final shot by ‘Iolani’s Liam Blakeslee to put a lock on a 5-4 PK victory.

Stafford upstaged Danny Leong of the Raiders (10-2-2), who dove to stop two Kalani PK shots.

"He’s like a life raft for us," Falcons striker Takahiro Kosins said. "Without him, we might not have made states."

Garrison Nakamura’s PK goal gave Kalani (14-1-1) the lead for good.

"It’s unbelievable how far we’ve come," said Stafford, who — along with Leong — also had a handful of spectacular saves in regulation. "This was redemption for us after they beat us (in the state quarterfinals) last year."

As for the upcoming final, Stafford said, "We didn’t come this far to lose."

Added coach Michael Ching, "I’ve said it before. He’s the best goalkeeper in the state and he proved it tonight."

Mililani 1, Punahou 0

Set pieces are Steve McGehee’s forte, and his attention to that detail paid off as the Trojans defeated the Buffanblu in the Division I semifinals of the Ohana Resorts/HHSAA Boys Soccer State Championships.

Using deception, Jeron Cunningham scored on a 20-yard direct kick for the game-winner in the 50th minute at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

"We’ve practiced it all season," McGehee said. "Jeron usually makes a mess of it, but he got it today."

Marc Matas was a key player in the outcome. He faked the direct kick to get Punahou’s wall to move, allowing Cunningham to drill one past stunned Punahou goalkeeper Connor Goo.

The Trojans (14-1) will get a rematch with Kalani in the state final. Mililani beat the Falcons 1-0 in double overtime in the OIA title game.

The two teams also met in the state final three years ago, when the Trojans prevailed.

"I didn’t execute. We work so hard and this is like a dagger," said Punahou’s Alec Dinsmore, who came within a whisker of scoring on four occasions.

Punahou went on a wild flurry in the final few minutes, but couldn’t put it in. Gordon Kowalkowski’s rocket from 15 yards out was the closest, but the ball sailed a foot over the net.

McGehee interrupted the celebration by the Trojans players, calling them over for a huddle and reminding them of Saturday’s all-important task by saying, "We’re still not done. We’re still not done."

Added Cunningham, "We need to come out flying."

DIVISION II SEMIFINALS

Kamehameha-Hawaii 3, Honokaa 1

Dominik Pajimola scored two goals within three minutes to secure the Warriors’ victory over the Dragons.

Kamehameha-Hawaii’s Riley Siemann scored the first goal of the match in the 16th minute.

Kyle Ohta scored the lone goal for Honokaa in the 68th minute.

Mid-Pacific 3, Hawaii Prep 1

The top-seeded Owls defeated Ka Makani to advance to the Division II title match on Saturday against Kamehameha-Hawaii.

Stirling Aponte scored two goals and Tyler Allen added one for Mid-Pacific, the defending D-II state champions.

Austin Schneider scored in the fourth minute for Hawaii Prep. 

CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS

Kapaa 3, Waipahu 0

Kailua 2, Seabury Hall 1, PK

Goal scorers—Kapaa: Max Nice, Keale Lee, Paul Oyama. Kail: Joseph Cantillo. Sea: Hobbs Weymouth.