Radford's Michael Watson battles with Mililani's Richard Potts for the ball. Watson scored from about six yards out in the 87th minute to propel the Rams into the semifinals for the first time in Division I. CJ Caraang | SL

×

02101652_20160209-HU2A0307_BSOC_RAD_MIL_cjcaraang.jpg - CJ Caraang | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

MILILANI – Radford made big plays at both goals in a stunning sudden-death overtime upset of West top seed Mililani, 2-1, in the quarterfinals of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I boys' soccer tournament Tuesday night.

A small gathering at John Kauinana Stadium saw Michael Watson score from about six yards out in the 87^th minute to propel the Rams into the semifinals for the first time in Division I, Red or pre-D2 era. About six minutes earlier, Radford goalie Anthony Orezzoli made a leaping save to stop JP Carson's jumping header from four yards out.

No one could recall the last time Radford beat Mililani – the most successful boys' program with 16 OIA crowns – if ever.

"Three years for me, personally, Radford, as long as I've been on the team, has never beat Mililani," Watson said. "Nobody thought that we would be here."

The win sends the Rams into Thursday's semifinals against Kaiser at Kapolei stadium. Radford will make its first state appearance since 2001. (The Rams made the Division II state tournament in 2011.)

During the regular season, the Trojans handily beat the Rams, 3-1.

"Heart," Watson of the difference from the last meeting. "We came through as a team. Everyone supported. Balls were perfectly placed. Mililani did an excellent, excellent job, but we came out at the end."

Earlier in the OT, the Trojans came close to the ones celebrating. In a flurry of bodies inside the goal box,  Carson emerged above the crowd and put up a nice header that was headed just under the crossbar, but Orezzoli leaped and batted the ball out.

"I saw him in the back post," Orezzoli said of the moment. "So I rose my hands up and hoped to god that it go to my hands and I got there. I was really happy to save that."

Watson had a simpler explanation: "That was amazing."

Orezolli was on a roll.

"The goalie had an outstanding game," Mililani coach Steven McGehee said. "Incredible save there on the line and we had a couple of other chances that we just missed. Now we have to step up. We're a little banged up, but hey, we have to fight through it. We have plenty of guys on this roster for that reason."

The Trojans controlled possession most of the OT, threatening on several occasions before even after Orezzoli's big save. He earned another save later on a shot by Hudson Zeisman. The Trojans then saw a cross near the goal box miss the intended striker.

When the Rams finally got the ball on Mililani's side, they had a free kick that eventually led to the winning goal.

"Bane (Vanburger) headed back, splitting the defense," Watson said. "I saw the opportunity and just hit it."

Signs of an upset came early. Vanburger drilled a direct kick 33 yards that sailed over the outstretched mitts of Mililani keeper Rusty Crowder that put the Rams ahead, 1-0, just 12 minutes into the contest. It stayed that way until the half.

The Trojans came out aggressive in the second half, but saw their shots either saved by Orezolli or slice wide on either side of the goal. But in the 56^th minutes, Zeisman charged the goal, drawing Orezzoli out, and booted the ball through from about seven yards out to tie the game at 1.

The Trojans will play Castle in a fifth-place semifinal, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Moanalua. The winner earns a state berth.