Punahou's Kelsey Shintaku tries to manuever past Kamehameha's Maya Hagiwara. Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 1 of 28

Punahou's Allison Little (22) scored the first goal of the match in a key ILH contest against Kamehameha. Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 2 of 28

Kamehameha sophomore Anuhea Aluli takes a free kick against Punahou. Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 3 of 28

Punahou's Adriana Maroney gets past Kamehameha defender Tausani Tavale to set up the first goal of the match. Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 4 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 5 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 6 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 7 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 8 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 9 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 10 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 11 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 12 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 13 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 14 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 15 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 16 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 17 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 18 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 19 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 20 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 21 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 22 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 23 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 24 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 25 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 26 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 27 of 28

Michael Lasquero | SL

Purchase image 28 of 28

Tue, Jan 21, 2020 @ Kamehameha

---

Punahou

1

Kamehameha

1

Final	1st	2nd	OT	2OT	PK	Tot
Punahou (8-2-3)	1	0	-	-	-	1
Kamehameha (11-0-2)	0	1	-	-	-	1

A. Aluli    A. Little

KAPALAMA HEIGHTS — Different site, different score, same result.

For the second time this season, Punahou and Kamehameha played to a draw in Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls soccer action Tuesday.

The Buffanblu and Warriors, ranked first and second respectively atop the ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Power Rankings, went toe-to-toe in a 1-1 tie in the penultimate league game for both teams on a picturesque late afternoon at Kunuiakea Stadium.

A crowd of about 200 spectators saw both teams go to 7-0-2 in ILH play. They ended the day where they started it: deadlocked for first place with 23 points apiece.

Both teams had already locked up the league's two berth in next month's state tournament. While a win Tuesday would not have clinched the ILH title for either team, it surely would have provided a leg up for the victor heading into Friday's regular-season finale.

Punahou's Allison Little (22) scored the first goal of the match in a key ILH contest against Kamehameha. Michael Lasquero | SL    Purchase image

Kamehameha coach Missy Moore saw her team claw its way back from a one-goal deficit after Allison Little put Punahou ahead with her breakaway goal in the 21st minute.

"We haven't been down all season and so this was a good test for us to show our grit and see what we're made out of," Moore said. "It wasn't our best game, but we kept fighting and that was good. I mean, I'm proud of them. Obviously I would like the win, but you know, I mean, to be down and come back in a pretty big game? I'm proud of them."

The Buffanblu registered six of their eight shots on goal before halftime. The Warriors had four shots on goal in each half, but seemed to turn the tide of momentum after the break.

Moore said part of that equated to her players getting accustomed to Punahou's physical style of play.

"I think the first half we were a little caught off guard, just a little bit I would say the first half, but I would say the second half definitely, you know, came out expecting the hits, so I think we were definitely a little bit more prepared in the second half," Moore explained.

Punahou's Adriana Maroney gets past Kamehameha defender Tausani Tavale to set up the first goal of the match.

×

_20012245_GSOC_1_21_20_PUNvsKSK_web-6797.jpg - Michael Lasquero | SL

About nine minutes after Ah Soon's exit, the Buffanblu got on the board. Adriana Maroney played a perfectly-placed pass to a hard-charging Little along the right sideline. Little beat the outside-back one-on-one and took the ball near the end line before cutting a right-footed shot across the front of the goal, past goalkeeper Marley Roe and just inside the left post for her team-leading sixth goal of the year.

"I made a run in so that Adri could play a more forward ball, she passed it and then I wasn't even sure what was on my left side, so I just kept pushing forward and then I saw the goalie stay on her line a little bit more and not come out, so I figured just low shot would be the best," said Little, a junior forward.

The goal happened on the far side of the field from the Buffanblu bench, which limited Izuno's view of the play.

"Honestly, I couldn't see a lot from here. From this angle I couldn't tell if her back post was open, but I know if she's confident then she's gonna take it and she did, so I'm really proud of her being able to compose herself and take the shot and find the back of the net," Izuno said. "I'm really proud of the kids."

Each team had three corner kicks.

Wayton made eight saves in goal for the Buffanblu, while Roe posted five saves for the Warriors.

The teams played to a scoreless tie in their first meeting this season, on Dec. 16 at Punahou's Alexander Field.

Both teams close out the 10-game regular season Friday. Punahou will host Iolani (4-3-1) while Kamehameha will host PAC-5 (4-4). Should the Buffanblu and Warriors remain tied at the conclusion of the regular season, a one-game playoff for the ILH championship would take place Tuesday at a site to be determined.

The league champion earns a first-round bye in the 12-team state tournament.

"Every game is a must-win — so today, Friday, last week, a month ago, every game is a must-win — so we just maintain the same attitude and yeah, today wouldn't have gave us that (championship), but it still is expected to be a win and we go into the game fully confident that we're coming out with a win," Izuno said.

The Buffanblu will be without junior center-back Jordan Lau for Friday's game against Iolani. Lau was yellow carded in the 53rd minute of Tuesday's match. It was her third yellow card of the season and by ILH rule, she is ineligible for the next game.

"She's a huge influence on the back line, but starting in preseason we've pulled her out and put other people in that position for injuries — you never know — and there's times where we have to put someone in for our center-backs, so she's great to have, especially scoring on her headers, but we have people that are ready to step up," Izuno said.

Kamehameha, which captured the state championship last February, has won the last two ILH crowns. Punahou is seeking its first ILH title since the 2016-17 season.