Lunas defeat Vikings to reach state semifinals

WAIPIO, Oahu — The Lahainaluna High School girls water polo team got off to a rocky start in its opening game, but maintained its unbeaten streak with a 16-6 win against Hilo in Thursday’s Local Motion State Water Polo Championship quarterfinals.

Lunas coach Will Hutchison subbed in freshman Taylor Pante after what appeared to be a goal, but instead was called for an illegal substitution that resulted in Pante being barred from the game.

However, once the team settled down, things couldn’t have looked better, says Hutchison.

‘‘I feel bad for messing it up for Taylor but other than that, there was nothing glaring in the game,’’ he said. ‘‘I think we started off a little bit jittery. We had some turnovers in the first half that were uncharacteristic of our team, but once they settled into the game, we played Lahainaluna water polo and really went all out the entire game.’’

The Lunas (11-0), the Maui Interscholastic League champions, were led by Moana Tuipulotu, who scored a match-high eight goals.

Michelle Fuller had five goals, Mariah Gill had three and Alana Hendrickson contributed one.

‘‘Moana had a tremendous game,’’ Hutchison said. ‘‘Not only did she score a lot of goals, she shut down (Hilo star Lauren Van Heukelem).

‘‘We went into this game with the perspective of let’s have a great time, let’s have fun … that’s why we play high school athletics.’’

Tuipulotu limited Van Heukelem to just two goals. Aiyanna Wainwright scored two and Eva Avery and Sondra Atagi each added a goal for the Vikings (8-4).

The Lunas goalies also had a solid game. Emily Schattenburg, who played the first half, finished with four saves and one blocked penalty shot, while Gina-Bella Mataafa had five saves in the second half.

Although the number of goals scored speaks for itself, Hutchison was also pleased by the Lunas’ counterattack and overall teamwork.

‘‘I thought it was fantastic that the team really came together on concepts,’’ he said. ‘‘These fast-break goals aren’t the result of one player swimming through everyone, these are the result of good passes ... everything we practice.’’

Lahainaluna, the tournament’s No. 4 seed, will faces top-seeded Punahou, a 16-2 winner over Kapolei on Thursday, at 5:45 p.m. in today’s semifinals.

The Buffanblu bring sisters Aisha and Shayna Price as well as Kelli Moy, all three highly skilled players, according to Hutchison. But despite Punahou’s flashy play and tough defense, Lahainaluna has some height and speed on its side, he said.

Getting past the Buffanblu won’t be easy, but the Lunas, who finished fourth in the state last season, are wanting more this time around.

‘‘If you’re going to beat Punahou, you’ve got to practice all year,’’ Hutchison said. ‘‘That’s what we’ve been doing. This is what we’ve been planning for.

‘‘I told them to enjoy their night. We’ve already scrimmaged Punahou once this year and there’s not that much to talk about now — just go out there and do it.’’

Kamehameha Maui will face Leilehua at 2 p.m. today in a consolation game. The winner will play Roosevelt at 11:15 p.m. on Saturday in the seventh-place game.

Lahainaluna 6 3 2 5—16

Hilo 1 2 1 2— 6

Goal scorers—Lahainaluna: Mariah Gill 3, Moana Tuipulotu 8, Michelle Fuller 5, Alana Hendrickson 1. Hilo: Eva Avery 1, Lauren Van Heukelem 2, Sondra Atagi 1, Aiyanna Wainwright 2.