HONOLULU — Two-time defending state champion Punahou was not about to concede the Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls soccer title to its fiercest rival at home.
With a 1-0 victory at Alexander Field on Friday afternoon, Punahou (5-1) prevented Kamehameha (7-1) from clinching the ILH and set the stage for a possible playoff if both teams — the state finalists of the last three years — hold serve to finish out their regular seasons.
It avenged a defeat to the Warriors by the same score at Kunuiakea Stadium on Dec. 23.
[Note: See below for more photos of Kamehameha-Punahou girls soccer.]
“A lot of adjustments were made over the past 10 days and really proud of everything,” Punahou coach Shelley Izuno said. “You saw the teamwork, the heart, so I’m really proud of them for pulling it all out for that.”
Senior Amelie Zeitz had the game-winner in the 24th minute. Midfielder Aina Nakamura worked it ahead to Kylie Tang near the top right corner of the box and she serviced it across the net, where Zeitz was one of two waiting Buffanblu.
Senior goalkeeper Xeyana Salanoa recorded her team’s fifth shutout in as many victories. Punahou has games remaining against Le Jardin, Iolani and Punahou II over the next 12 days while Kamehameha finishes out at Iolani on Tuesday.
“I think all we needed was to connect the ball, move off our man and be able to communicate with each other,” Salanoa said. “I think that helped us get this win today.”
Izuno has seen Salanoa’s older sisters Xevani and Xehlia, key members of the Buffanblu’s recent title teams, make successful moves into the women’s college soccer ranks at Westminster (Utah) and South Dakota State, respectively.
Xeyana Salanoa is set to play goalkeeper at Division II Western Oregon next year.
“Tremendous player. Incredible family,” Izuno said. “Watching her, how tough she is, she’s so well trained and she knows a save is — you get right back up. She expects it. It takes a little bit of craziness and a ton of bravery to play that position. But she’s just amazing, her work ethic and she’s such a fantastic leader.”
Xehlia Salanoa had a goal and an assist in eight games played in her true freshman season at SDSU, a team featuring six players from Hawaii (including Punahou alumna Ellie Gusman and Kamehameha graduate Alohi Ramos). The Jackrabbits won the Summit League and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in the fall.
Xevani Salanoa has two goals and two assists through her first two years at Westminster, a member of the NCAA Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in Salt Lake City.
The last Salanoa on the Buffanblu roster said she’s watched her sisters’ games via livestream when she can.
“I think without my sisters it’s kind of sad but I think just watching them go and do what they love and play collegiate soccer in college is very inspiring to me,” Xeyana Salanoa said. “I just follow in their footsteps and I think this team, especially with a lot of young girls, just being able to connect with each other from the beginning of the season and putting in our hard work.”
With this younger Punahou team — Izuno said 12 players are new to the ILH varsity battles — Salanoa has become the all-purpose leader from between the pipes. She showed again Friday that she’s not afraid to chase down a ball at any part of her half of the field.
“It’s definitely kind of scary playing that high up against teams like this, especially Kamehameha and Iolani,” she said. “But I think being able to cover space behind my defense gives them reassurance that I’m there to cover them and gives more time for our offense to get back on defense. “
Kamehameha coach Missy Moore lamented her team’s lack of finishing touch. Kamehameha and Punahou are the only teams to score on each other this year.
Warriors senior Madison Sharrer had one of her team’s best chances in the 36th minute as she flashed into the box and put a shot on frame but Salanoa was there to snuff it out.
“Great competition. I think (the effort) was there, I just think we need to do a few things a bit better,” Moore said. “We need to make better decisions in the final third. And we’re just not there yet. Hopefully we can work on those things and we’ll be better for our next game.”
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.