Kaiser's Noelle Mercado runs down a ball against Mililani. Greg Yamamoto | SL

×

012214_KaiMili_GirlsSoc_0856.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

While a spot in the OIA Red semifinals and a berth to the Division I state tournament on the line was certainly incentive enough, the Cougars circled this game against the Trojans for at least one more reason, a chance at redemption.

Mission accomplished.

Kaiser got the go-ahead goal in the opening minutes of the second half, then held off Mililani in the final 34 minutes to preserve a 1-0 win in the late quarterfinal at Kaiser Stadium.

"It was quite important," said senior Alicia Chang. "The last time we played (them) on this field was the OIA Championships last year and we lost, 2-0, and no one on this team will ever forget that. It was a rematch and we proved ourselves today."

It took nearly 46 minutes of battling Mililani's stout defense and quick-striking offense, but Kaiser got their chance and capitalized, breaking the scoreless seal when a picture perfect throw-in by Noelle Mercado was headed in by Chang.

"We really owe it all to our thrower, Noelle, and our (corner) kicker Ally. Every single throw-in I try go in and flick it." said Chang. "But its really nothing new, we've been practicing that this whole season."

Mililani threatened mightliy in the 57th minute as Kaiser keeper Corina Edgington was drawn out of goal on a save attempt, leaving an empty net. The ball jostled around dangerously near the goal, but was deftly cleared by Chang moments later to prevent the equalizer.

"Our defense, we're so connected there's always someone in the goal. So we always have the insurance on Carina whenever she steps out." remarked Chang.

"I told her (Chang) tonight, you're going to be the one to hold us in there," said Kaiser head coach Adolph Samuels. "They (Mililani) come at us hard, they cross balls, they come from nowhere. Tonight she was unbelievable. All the balls that got in there, she was clearing them all out."

The Trojans' best chance in the first half came on a strike from about 30 yards out by Robyn Peiler that was snatched out of the air by Cougars' keeper Corina Edgington.

"Corina had some unreal saves," remarked Samuels of his keeper, who saved nine shots on the night. "All my four captains, Ally (Matsuoka), Alea (Amano), Alicia (Chang) and Corina, they just so close. They just so close, and they support each other so well. They wanted to win badly, and that's what they did tonight."

Kaiser had a chance to break open the scoring in the 37th minute when Cori Papapa recieved a pass from the left wing and placed a ball towards the right post, but Mililani keeper Tasa Leoso got eniugh of the ball to keep it out of goal and the ball was cleared to end the threat.

Leoso recorded 10 saves in the game.

Up next for Kaiser is a 6:30 p.m. semifinal match Thursday against Kapolei at the Hurricanes' home stadium, while Mililani will face off with Moanalua at 7:00 p.m. at Pearl City with a state berth on the line.