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WAIPAHU - Leo Klink scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lift Kalani to a 2-1 win over Kapolei in a thrilling semifinal game of the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I Boys Soccer State Championships Friday.

A crowd of about 400 at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium saw the Falcons improve to 15-1 and advance into Saturday's championship final, where they will play No. 1 Mililani. The Trojans defeated 'Iolani, 1-0, in the late semifinal. It will be Kalani's first appearance in the state title game since 2007, when it lost to Punahou. The Falcons have never won a state crown.

It was the second straight night that the Falcons used last-minute heroics to keep its championship hopes alive. Thursday night, Kalani upset tournament no. 2 seed Punahou, 3-2, on a goal in the closing minutes by Klink.

"It's unexplainable, this is the first time (since 2007) that we're going to the final and it's unbelievable," said Klink, whose goal Friday came in the 87th minute. "I hope we can keep this up, I think my team is unstoppable right now."

In the eighth minute of overtime, Kapolei's Preston Wallace-Williams defended a Kalani shot on goal, but the rebound came off to Kalani's Ryan Bui, who passed it to Klink near the top of the 18-yard box. As Wallace-Williams scrambled to get back in goal, Klink fired a left-footed shot from about 15 yards out that found the right side of the netting and began the Falcons' celebration.

"I just saw that the goal was open and I tried to get free and kick it toward the goal," said Klink, a junior forward who now has 25 goals for the season. "Once I saw it went in, we just went crazy, everyone was so happy."

Kalani coach Michael Ching credited his team's resilience, despite falling behind early in the second half.

"For some reason, when we get down, we can find an extra gear," said Ching, who is in his second year at the helm of the Falcons' program. "We were tired, but we have a belief (that we) have skilled players, but I can't really explain it, I really think it's just the heart of our team ... These kids are fighters."

Kapolei had most of the game's scoring chances - including a breakaway run and shot on goal in the closing seconds of regulation - but failed to capitalize on all but one.

"We don't like to lose, but someone has to and Kalani played really well, they came out to win and scored when they had to," Hurricanes' coach Bryce Kaneshiro said.
Ching said that Kapolei's speed was an area of concern for his team.

"Coming in, because we battled Punahou so tight last night, we knew that we'd be a little more tired and we knew that they were very fast and athletic, so what we were trying to do is play a little deeper and limit their chances over the top and make them build up an attack," Ching said. "Even though they had some good chances, we still felt comfortable with holding them."

Keo Ponce gave Kapolei a brief lead in the 50th minute off of a Kalani miscue. Ponce sent a high pass from the right, across the 18-yard box, but it was too far for a teammate and Kalani goalie Shawn Donnelly made a leaping attempt to push the ball over the goal. However, he was unable to get enough on it and the ball bounced off his hands and into the goal to get the Hurricanes on the scoreboard.

"(Thursday) night against Punahou, we got scored on and we kind of had our heads down," Ching said. "(Friday), we got scored on, but I think we already had the belief that we could do it ... we're starting to believe that we belong here."

Just nine minutes later, the Falcons tied the game on a penalty kick by Kazuto Moribe, who drew a Kapolei foul inside the 18-yard box. Moribe's shot was to the right corner, while Wallace-Williams guessed wrong on a diving attempt to the left.

"Our team has so much spirit," Klink said. "Even after they scored their goal, we never gave up, we kept believing and just never gave up. After Kazuto scored on the PK, it felt like God's given us a second chance."

Kevin Carroll nearly put Kalani ahead in the 76th minute. His shot from 15 yards out was high and arching and Wallace-Williams made a spectacular save to keep the game knotted at 1. Wallace-Williams ran out toward the 6-yard box, then back pedaled near the end line, before punching the attempt over the goal.

Kapolei had a scoring chance two minutes into overtime, but Rowen White's free kick from 30 yards out was saved by Connelly.

"I thought we played OK, I don't know if fatigue played a factor or not, but we just didn't get the right bounces our way, we could have finished a few times," Kaneshiro said. "When it comes to the state tournament and you have your opportunities, you have to put them away and we didn't and they did and that's the end of the run."

Kapolei, which qualified as the runner-up from the Oahu Interscholastic Association, will play 'Iolani in the third-place game at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Hurricanes, which was seeking their first state title game appearance in school history, fell to 13-2-1.

Kalani, which will be playing its fourth game in as many days Saturday, qualified for the 12-team tournament as the third seed from the OIA. The Falcons shutout Waiakea, 4-0, in Wednesday's opening round.

The 7 p.m. championship will follow the Division II title game between Kapa'a and Honoka'a at 5 p.m. Both games will be televised live statewide on OC16.