Top-seeded Kamehameha dispatches fourth-seeded Waiakea in D1 state semifinals

Kamehameha's Leila Kahoano (10) celebrates with her team after scoring on a header in the 27' assisted by Kainani Jacang off of a free kick in the semifinals of the NIU Health Urgent Care/HHSAA Division I Girls Soccer Championship at Radford's John E. Velasco Stadium. CJ Caraang | SL

ALIAMANU — Kamehameha will have its shot at a three-peat.

Leila Kahoano scored the go-ahead goal on a header in the 27th minute, off an assist from Kainani Jacang's free kick, to help No. 1 Kamehameha to a 3-1 win over No. 10 Waiakea in the late semifinal at Radford's John E. Velasco Stadium Friday night.

The Kamehameha Warriors (10-1), who are the top seed in this week's NIU Health Urgent Care/HHSAA Division I State Championships, will play unseeded Punahou in Saturday's title game.

The fourth-seeded Waiakea Warriors (6-3) will play second-seeded Mililani for third place.

Kamehameha took an early lead on Keely Kahana's goal — which was assisted by Kamryn Kaleiohi — in the game's very first minute.

However, Waiakea equalized in the 11th minute with Kaitlin Beatty's goal.

Kahoano's header put Kamehameha back in front for good and gave her team a 2-1 lead at the half.

Charis Marie Ramos added an insurance goal for Kamehameha in the 67th minute.

Kamehameha won the last two state championships and will be trying for its 11th overall title.

Waiakea was seeking its first appearance in a state final.