Kaiser's Noelle Mercado dribbles the ball through traffic against Pearl City. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Kaiser players celebrate after winning an OIA Red semifinal game over Pearl City. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Pearl City's Zoe Fuller looks to dribble past the defense of Kaiser's Noelle Mercado. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Kaiser goalie Corina Edgington makes a beautiful leaping save to preserve a shutout win over Pearl City. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Thu, Jan 17, 2013 @ Kaiser

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Pearl City

0

Kaiser

2

Final	1st	2nd	OT	2OT	PK	Tot
Pearl City (7-4-4)	0	0	-	-	-	0
Kaiser (14-2-1)	0	0	-	-	-	2

N. Mercado    J. Swartz

Kaiser goalkeeper Corina Edgington saved all seven shots she faced, and Jaylin Swartz and Noelle Mercado scored a goal each to help the Cougars advance to OIA Red championship game with a 2-0 win over Pearl City.

Swartz got the Cougars on the board in the 15th minute, blasting a shot past the keeper on a ball that bounced around in front of goal after being deflected. The goal marked her sixth of the season.

Pearl City had a golden chance to equalize in the 24th minute, as Nikki Sua forced Edgington out from the shadow of her goalposts and the shot save dangled dangerously in front of an empty net, but Kaiser was able to clear its way out of danger.

But for most of the game, the Cougars also found success in neutralizing Pearl City's transition offense, holding the Chargers to just seven shots in the contest.

"They always play that long outside ball. They try to work the outsides and cross it in." said Kaiser head coach Adolph Samuels. "Prior to us coming into this game, on the weekend we worked a lot on transition. They ran so much. They've been running so much they hate me, but I tell them that's why we run."

The Chargers had another chance early on in the second half, a fast-break opportunity off of a steal leading to a shot by Alix Suwa in the 43rd minute that sailed just inches over the top bar.

Kaiser put the game all but out of reach in the 53rd minute, as a cross from Skye Shodahl ricocheted off of a Pearl City defender and was struck midflight by Noelle Mercado, who booted it through the top right corner.

"It was amazing" said the sophomore Mercado of her tenth goal of the season. "I was so happy Skye passed me that ball."

The best chance for Pearl City to get on the board came in the 59th minute, as a Kaiser defender was whistled for a yellow card, setting up a free kick from about 10 feet off of the edge of the penalty box.

The kick by Zoe Fuller was well placed just below the top bar, but Edgington made a spectacular leaping grab to end the threat.

"Sometimes I don't even hear people cheering, I see the ball come into hand and its just a matter of focus." remarked Edgington on what happened on the save. "Things slow down. Its just a matter of it happening."

Kaiser had a chance to put the game completely out of reach in the 75th minute when Cory Papapa broke away on a run, facing the keeper in an one-on-one situation. But the keeper's challenge forced her shot wide right.

The Cougars will take on West top-seed Mililani, a 1-0 winner over Moanalua in penalty kicks, in Friday's Red division championship game at Kaiser Stadium. The game, which follows the 5:30 p.m. White title game, will be broadcast live on OC16.

Kaiser players were clearly elated to come away with the win.

"I remember we played last year and we were in this same situation (the OIA Red semifinals) except we lost." said Edgington. "Its the feeling of that same intensity, except more and its just an amazing feeling."

"I'm just so happy that everyone pushed through and that we got the win tonight." said Mercado.