Kalani's Leo Klink celebrates with teammate Kazuto Moribe after scoring the winning goal in the 70th minute. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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020813_KalKSM 0497.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

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WAIPIO - Leo Klink scored the game winning goal as the Falcons go on to defeat Kamehameha-Maui in the semifinals of the state tournament Friday night, setting up a rematch of last year's quarterfinals with Punahou for the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts/HHSAA Boys Soccer State Championship.

"I'm happy. Our team came out we battled so hard," said Falcons coach Michael Ching. "Two nights in a row, kind of (late) game winners."

Kalani got on the board first towards the middle of the opening period. A foul committed by Kamehameha-Maui near the right of the Warriors 18-yard box set up a free kick for the men in red. Senior Kazuto Moribe had the honors on the kick and passed it to teammate Steve Teshima. The senior drilled a shot from the top of the key and into the left inside netting, putting Kalani up by one.

The goal by Teshima came during the 23rd minute of play.

"We work on those (set pieces) where they get to decide what they're going to do," said Ching. "They obviously saw something in the defense. Not a coaching thing, it's really all them."

Teshima has scored three goals so far this state tournament and nine all season.

Four minutes later, the Warriors rebounded for a score of their own.

Colton Cabanas seized an opportunity on a loose ball at the top of the key for a goal. A beautiful arced shot taken outside the 18 by the senior skipped just over the fingers of the Kalani keeper. The equalizing score came during the 27th minute of the first half.

"(About Kamehameha-Maui) they were awesome. They went double overtime yesterday, they had to travel so they might have been jet-lagged," said Ching. "They have nothing to be sad about. They played a great game."

The score was tied 1-1 going into halftime.

Both teams exchanged equal blows of offense until the 70th minute of the second half.

Senior Leo Klink came down in a full sprint down the middle of the field with the ball and nailed a shot in the left inside netting of the goal for the eventual game winner/

Klink, the 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year, now has four goals during the state tournament and 24 in the season so far.

"Very proud of my team," said Klink. "Coming out of a second game and still keeping up this high mentality. So happy to have such a great team."

The senior had 25 goals last season during the Falcons run at the state championship.

"We trust Leo," said Ching. "The best forward in the state. He's been there all year for us. Just a great leader on our team."

Kalani matches up with Punahou tomorrow for the state title. The two teams met previously last year in the semifinals of the state tournament in which the Falcons came out on top 3-2.

"It"s what we've been working for all year," said Ching. "Our goal is to get back into the state finals. Back to back championships is something Kalani has never done. Just proud to back in the (championship) game."