Iolani's Taylor Kipili heads the ball against Kaiser. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Iolani's Ashley Park-Hunt dribbles the ball between Kaiser's Alea Amano (9) and Allyson Matsuoka (22). Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Fri, Feb 1, 2013 @ Waipio

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Kaiser

1

Iolani

6

Final	1st	2nd	OT	2OT	PK	Tot
Kaiser (14-2-1)	0	0	-	-	-	1
Iolani (14-1-1)	0	0	-	-	-	6

E. Tanaka    C. Okazaki    K. Hori    A. Park-Hunt    K. Pascua    J. Shimabuku    N. Mitsuyasu

WAIPIO - Six different Iolani Raiders put up points for Iolani as they went on to devastate the Kaiser Cougars, 6-1, Friday night. With the victory, the Raiders advanced to the state championship game for the third consecutive year.

"They're what we expected," said Raiders coach Kristin Masunaga. "We thought they would play us a little more defensive and keep us from scoring. Fortunately tonight we got to rest a lot of our starters."

Iolani scored halfway into the first half in the semifinal round of the state tournament, at about twenty minutes into the first period. Junior Nikki Mitsuyasa took advantage of a bouncing loose ball inside the Kaiser 18-yard box, launching a laser of a shot to put the first points on the board.

Mitsuyasa has accounted for seven goals so far this season.

"(Nikki) she was bound to get one," said Raiders coach Kristin Masunaga. "We told her keep shooting. Statistically speaking; you take more shots, the more chances to score.

The next series of goals came within a couple minutes of each other.

During the 25th minute of play, senior Ashley Park-Hunt edged a ball past the keeper to put the Raiders up by two. The goal by Park-Hunt was her second of the state tournament.

Eight minutes later, a cross from senior Alyssa Kim connected with fellow senior Jill Shimabuku. After the collection, Shimabuku placed an arching ball right over the keeper and into the side of the net. The score by Shimabuku put Iolani up by two in the 33rd minute.

"(Park-Hunt) Ashley is peaking at the right time," said Masunaga. "Second goal in the second game... Just finishing and hitting it on frame."

The goal by Shimabuku was also her second goal of the tournament.

"(Shimabuku) That was beautiful shot," said Masunaga. "We don't know how she got it in at that angle. Again, being in the right place at the right time."

The third goal for Iolani was scored in the 38th minute of play. Senior Kama Pascua, weaving her way around Kaiser defenders, took a well placed shot outside the top of the 18-yard box. The ball sailed over the heads of both teams and just out the reach of the Kaiser keeper. The goal by Pascua put Iolani up by three going into halftime.

"We heard they were a really tough opponent," said Pascua. "We were planning to come out hard and got the job done. We made sure we stayed composed, calm, connected and made every opportunity count."

Pascua has accounted for 20 scores so far this season, and the senior the leads the ILH in scoring and is third in the state in goals.

"Kama is definitely one of the best players in the state," said Masunaga. "She does a good job receiving the ball and distributing it. She beats players and we just got to be there to support her."

Iolani scored the next two goals during the 53rd and 64th minutes of the second half. Junior Kristin Hori reacted to a loose ball inside the box and placed it into the net, putting the game at 5-0. Then in the 64th minute, Emily Tanaka collected a through pass from Pascua in stride. A few well-placed moves later, the junior took a shot and scored the last goal of the game for the Raiders.

Kaiser finally found a glimmer of success in the 70th minute of play. A hand ball committed by Iolani inside their own 18-yard box resulted in a goal by senior Courtney Okazaki. The Okazaki goal put the game at 6-1 and was also the last score of the game.

"(About Kaiser) They're a hard and physical team," said Pascua. "They played really hard. It was pretty tough but our team pulled through."

The Raiders move on to play Punahou in the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts/Hawaii Division I Girls Soccer State Championships. The appearance marks Iolani's third trip to the championship game in as many years.

"We're excited. It's going to be a tough game," said Masunaga "We've been there two years in a row. So I think we're ready."