Aiea shocks three-time defending OIA champion Mililani in semis

Aiea denied Mililani in its bid for a fourth straight OIA girls soccer championship Thursday night.

By playing tenacious team defense, Na Alii survived for a 1-0 victory at Kaiser Stadium.

The victory was aided by the wind, which helped slow down the Trojans’ potent attack.

Now, Aiea (11-2) will go for its third OIA championship on Saturday at Kaiser High against Pearl City. Na Alii previously took league crowns in 1999 and 2005, under then coach Gordon Matsuoka.

“They were our first game and first loss (3-0) of the season,” Aiea striker Nicole Olanda said about the Trojans. “We came out flat in that one. This was our redemption and it was a big win to make history for Aiea again at OIAs. We all have the same goal in mind. We all want to make history for Aiea again.”

Olanda scored on a direct kick from 20 yards out in the first half and that 1-0 lead held up despite constant pressure from the Mililani (9-1-2).

Na Alii coach Benji Villaflor credited team defense in holding off the Trojans, and gave props to Brianna Yamada and Phoenix Miranda in the back row.

“Those two, they don’t ever get credit,” the coach said. “They’re the foundation of our team. Without them, nothing exists.”

Mililani has 17 previous OIA titles and, despite the loss, are still alive for a fifth state crown. The Trojans meet Moanalua in the league’s third-place match at Castle on Friday.

“Usually we finish fairly well,” said Mililani coach Natalie Goo. “We were off target tonight. We’ll come back.

“Of course we’re all disappointed, but we just have to come out and play our game. States is the ultimate goal.”

Goo, the first-year varsity coach, took over for Ray Akiona at the helm this season after coaching the Trojans JV team for 12 years. Goo was a member of Mililani’s 1994 state championship team that was coached by Charlie Esperas.

OIA Playoffs