Mililani wins 14th OIA crown with 2-0 win against Kaiser


Mililani's TJ Reyno battle Kaiser's Allyson Matsuoka for control of the ball. Greg Yamamoto | SL

HAWAI'I KAI-In blustery conditions on the host school's turf, visiting Mililani beat Kaiser, 2-0, Friday night to reclaim the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red girls' soccer championship.

The Trojans (12-0-1), who took third last year, won their 14th overall crown - by far the most in the OIA with Pearl City a distant second with seven - and sixth under 10th-year coach Ray Akiona.

The Trojans got their goals - one in each half - from a pair of reliable scorers. T.J. Reyno scored on a header off a corner kick from Alisha Miyashiro at 14 minutes, 46 seconds into the match and Brittney Gideon dribbled toward the net from 40 yards, drilling her kick from about 10 yards at 57:37.

The Cougars (11-1-1), making their first OIA title appearance since 1998 and looking for their first title since 1997, had their chances with the strong with at their backs for the second half. They had five of their six corner kicks in the second half, but the Trojans' defense, which has yet to surrender a goal this season, tightened up in the pinch to deny the Cougars.

"They not only had the wind, but Kaiser's a great team and they're really quick," Akiona said. "So it was a really challenging half for us. They put a lot of pressure. They had a lot of opportunities. But our defense comes through and I couldn't be any prouder."

The Trojans' fullbacks - Tarryn Miyamura, Shyani Terukina, Taylor Yoshiura and Madison Reed - simply made it tough on the Cougars to score. Goalie Tasalina Leoso held her own with nine saves.

"That defense is stellar," Kaiser coach Adolf Samuels said. "They're amazing back there. They just skip to the balls. They play four back. You have to try put more numbers (players) up, but you're afraid to put more numbers up because their midfield is so strong. It was difficult trying to get past them tonight."

The Trojans first score came when Miyashiro drilled her corner kick high toward the goal. The ball sailed over the goalie and a convergence of players from both teams toward the far end of the goal, where Reyno headed the ball in.

"I don't know," Reyno said. "Somehow, I always get to the ball. Even though I'm short, I still try my best to get to that ball."

Gideon's goal was against the wind, but it was off a shot that wasn't going to be affected by the wind. As she got closer toward the net, he low line drive wasn't going to be hindered by the elements.

Even leading entering the half, the Trojans were still concerned about the Cougars, who had the wind at their backs.

"We realized that we just had to drop back more," Gideon said. "We tried to send it back up, but it wouldn't go, so we tried to play it on the ground."

In consolation games at Kailua, Moanalua beat Pearl City, 2-1, for third place, and Kahuku beat Waianae for fifth place.

Mililani, Kaiser, Moanalua, Pearl City, Kahuku and Waianae will represent the OIA in the Division I state tournament, Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex.



Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].