As the streak grows, the pressure for excellence mounts on Punahou.
The Buffanblu found the proper release valve yet again Saturday at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex as they outlasted Kamehameha 4-2 for their eighth straight crown in the Stanford Carr Development/HHSAA Girls Water Polo State Championships.
"That means a lot to us," said senior Emma Choy, who had two critical fourth-quarter goals. "Of course, we’re not focused on the number of state championships. We’re not focused on the outcome of the game. It’s about the process and what we built to get here."
The architect — longtime coach Ken Smith — hasn’t yet tired of winning.
"No," he said with a grin. "When you have a group like this, that dedicates themselves to being the best they can be in the areas of mind, body and spirit, and they do that every day in practice, six days a week — they wanted to work out six days a week — doing that … it doesn’t get old."
As has become tradition, Smith’s players tossed him into the pool after the final horn. Punahou has won 10 of the 12 water polo state titles since the tournament’s start in 2004.
The lowest-scoring title match of them all was in doubt until the final minute, when Choy found the net for a two-score lead.
Choy then came up with a steal on Kamehameha’s next possession to ice it and send the Buffanblu supporters into wild cheers.
Tournament MVP Emalia Eichelberger directed a resilient defensive effort from in goal all game long, saving 10 shots.
"I definitely think the key to the match was defense," the junior said. "Destroying the (opponent’s) energy, and we really wanted to build our own energy."
The Buffanblu handled the Warriors without too much trouble three times as part of a perfect ILH season. But Kamehameha came out with an edge with everything on the line for its experienced core of seven seniors.
Kamehameha’s Madison Kauahi matched a goal by Punahou’s Marissa Miller to even it at 1 in the second quarter. But Punahou’s Kelly Fricke scored on a weakside lob from Natassia Dunn for a 2-1 halftime lead.
Warriors coach Keala O’Sullivan emphasized getting back in transition and denying the swift Buffanblu opportunities to make good on a speed advantage. For the most part, the Warriors were successful in doing so. But Choy’s first goal, with 4:10 to play in the game for a 3-1 Buffs lead, came when Kamehameha hadn’t yet set its defense.
Kamehameha had a golden opportunity to tie it up at 2 near the end of the third quarter — a double power play with two Buffanblu players sent off on the same possession. But the Warriors’ shot from close range went wide and Punahou recovered.
Kayla Ganir came up with a clutch goal with 2:47 to play in the fourth, drawing Kamehameha within 3-2. Then Ganir had a straightaway shot to tie it, but Eichelberger saved it and Choy scored on a power play.
"You can see by the score we fell a little short," O’Sullivan said. "Our team ran out of time. … All the girls laid it out there. They actually did what we asked of them. We had multiple 6-on-5s, times on offense where we were wide open to shoot. Fell a little short of that, so it’s hard."
Bad news for the rest of the state: Punahou returns nearly its entire team, including Eichelberger.
Punahou 4, Kamehameha 2
Championship
Goal scorers—Punahou: Emma Choy 2, Kelly Fricke, Marissa Miller. Kamehameha: Kayla Ganir, Madison Kauahi.
Kahuku 6, Kapolei 0
Third Place
Goal scorers—Kahuku: Kahea Kahaulelio 2, India Pyzel 2, Nohea Kahaulelio, Lilli Lindgard.
Kamehameha-Hawaii 14, Lahainaluna 10
Fifth Place
Goal scorers—Kamehameha-Hawaii: Halia Nahalea 6, Katelyn Kubo 4, Pua Wong 3, Alyssa Pelanca. Lahainaluna: Lalelei Mataafa 4, Haleigh Berko 2, Julia Bianco 2, Alicia Wintermeyer 2.
Kaiser 8, Baldwin 7, OT
Goal scorers—Baldwin: Leyla Anderson 3, Mariah Starwood 2, Kendra Bean, Courtney Smith. Kaiser: Kyla Fox 3, Jennifer Frommer 2, Julie Hedden, Luna Kim, Lara Yasumi.
