Big Isle Warriors topple Trojans
By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer
WAIPI'O — Ohi Parker scored three goals and Ryenn Lyons two to lead Kamehameha-Hawai'i to a 7-5 win over Mililani in yesterday's first round of the HHSAA/Local Motion Girls Water Polo State Championships at the Veterans' Memorial Aquatic Center.
The Warriors (11-3) will meet No. 2 seed and O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion Roosevelt in today's quarterfinal beginning at 3:15 p.m. at the Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park facility. Mililani (10-5) will play in a consolation game tomorrow.
"I'm glad this first game is over with," Kamehameha-Hawai'i coach Dan Lyons said. "I thought we were real sluggish and we didn't play with much energy, but it was good to get a game in and hopefully we'll play better tomorrow."
Mililani took its only lead midway through the first quarter after Ashlee Franklin scored from about 10 feet to make it 1-0.
The Warriors quickly tied it on their ensuing possession on a Nani Davis goal and went ahead on Parker's first goal less than two minutes later.
Lindsey Carvalho scored late in the opening quarter off a long shot for Mililani, but Lyons answered off a 5-meter shot to give Kamehameha-Hawai'i a 3-2 lead after the first quarter.
The Warriors extended their lead to 5-2 with a pair of quick goals to start the second quarter by Lyons and Ariel Imoto. The Trojans got a goal from Jessica Sneed later in the quarter to make it 5-3 at the half.
Kanani Mazzone's goal off an assist from Remi Kimura closed Mililani to 5-4, but Parker found the back of the net for a second time to make it 6-4.
The Warriors saw two players earn ejections inside of the final two minutes — the second of which led to a 5-meter shot for the Trojans. Mazzone's attempt soared past the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper and into the top right corner of the goal.
However, the Warriors drew a late foul and a 5-meter shot, which was taken by Parker with 14 seconds to play. She converted into the lower left corner of the goal.
"She played better in the second half and made a big difference," Lyons said of Parker. "She can be very creative. Sometimes she can get a little stubborn and sits still and tries to just throw people around, but I thought she did a good job in the second half."
KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAI'I 7, MILILANI 5.
KH: Ohi Parker 3, Ryenn Lyons 2, Nani Davis, Ariel Imoto. Mil: Kanani Mazzone 2, Ashlee Franklin, Lindsey Carvalho, Jessica Sneed.
KAHUKU 12, KAMEHAMEHA-MAUI 5.
Kah: Minnie Whitford 4, Keola Kahaulelio 3, Alex Shea 2, Brooke Roy, Tahnei Roy, Kelsea Krebs. KM: Kaulana Ane 3, Kaleiopio Guth, Allyn Kawaiwaa.
KALANI 6, LEILEHUA 5.
Kal: Nikki Noborikawa 2, Stephanie Suda, Kailiponi McGee, Alex Rogers, Tina Pulu. Lei: Jocelyn Babino 3, Kearsten Sego, Maxine Cowper.
KAMEHAMEHA VS. KAPOLEI.
Result was not available.
Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.