The Lady Lunas finished the Maui Interscholastic League season with a 10-2 record to take the title and the league’s top seed to the state tournament. PHOTO BY GLEN PASCUAL.

LAHAINA — The Lahainaluna High School water polo team caught fire at precisely the right time, as the Lady Lunas defeated arch rival Baldwin 9-7 in a championship playoff match last week to capture the Maui Interscholastic League title.

The victory, the second in a crucial week that decided the overall MIL winner, sends Lahainaluna to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Championship Quarterfinals in Honolulu this week.

First-year head coach John Hassett, who was assisted by veteran mentors Bradley Mason and Courtney Galarita, praised the team as a unit that, “… never quit, committed themselves to a rigid conditioning program and worked hard all season long.

“The team took a loss to Baldwin earlier in the season as an inspiration to turn things around.”

Led by leading scorer Maile Cacal and goalkeeper Mia Kosianowski, the Lady Lunas defeated the Bears 18-17 in the MIL championship final last Saturday to force Monday’s winner-take- all playoff at Kihei Aquatic Center.

Lahainaluna jumped out to an early lead before holding on for the win that punched their ticket to the state playoffs.

The Lady Lunas were led all season long by Co-captains Cacal and Kosianowski, and the team roster includes Jordan Rogers, Tara Zamani, Mauriirani Niles Contero, Zhi Clark, Tiana Rose Naki, Eden Kanekoa, Jordan Gomes, Alissa Skolnick and Anastasia Morris.

In conclusion, Coach Hassett thanked the families of the student-athletes and Lahaina community for their support of the team and, in particular, for the fundraising effort to send the team to Honolulu for the playoffs.

“Thanks to everyone for their support, as the funds were raised to more than cover our expenses for the playoff trip. We’re in a really good position,” he said.

Go Lady Lunas!