Kahuku girls water polo coach Aukai Ferguson has been here before and fallen short. His final opportunity to break through will be today.

No. 2 Kahuku advanced to its third consecutive Local Motion/HHSAA Girls Water Polo State Championships final with a 9-7 victory over Hawai'i Prep yesterday at Central O'ahu Regional Park.

Kahuku, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion, will play the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion for the title for the third consecutive year.

'Iolani, the top seed, routed No. 4 Lahainaluna in yesterday's second semifinal, 16-2.

Kahuku (14-0) and 'Iolani (9-1) will meet today at 2 p.m.

In 2005, Kahuku lost to Punahou, and last year it fell to Kamehameha. Ferguson will retire after the season to spend more time with his family.

"We want it as a team, but we want it because we know he's retiring," Kahuku junior Gina Ahue said. "Everyone wants to give it their all for him."

Kahuku used a late 5-0 run to get past Hawai'i Prep (11-1), the Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion.

Five players scored during the surge, which put the Red Raiders up 9-6 with 3:49 remaining.

Ahue (4:11 left in third), Rosie Jaffurs (2:01), Rebecca Fonoimoana (1:11), Minnie Whitford (5:57 left in fourth) and Taniya Sifton scored for Kahuku.

"Having five or six girls in the pool that can shoot the ball, we can bring it several different ways," Ferguson said. "If one option isn't working we can go straight to another."

The Red Raiders led 3-1 after the first period, but fell behind 6-4 after Ka Makani's Alex Eason scored with 5:41 remaining in the third period.

"We were just capitalizing on any chance, we attacked passing with a fast shot," Hawai'i Prep coach Jamie DeBonet said. "And that's what it takes to beat these guys, a team like this."

Eason scored four goals for Hawai'i Prep, including two back-hand shots in the second quarter. She was able to muscle her way into good position in front of the goal.

"She got a lot of good shots off, so in the second half we came in with a multiple drop, trying to force some of their other players to contribute offensively," Ferguson said of Eason.

'Iolani used its superior speed to crush its second consecutive tournament opponent.

The Raiders, who scored on 16 of 18 shots, repeatedly beat Lunas defenders down the pool.

"That's one of our strengths, the speed on our team," 'Iolani coach Linda Look said.

Ashley Nickle scored five of her seven goals in the first half and Dara Tawarahara added four for 'Iolani.

"Ashley did a great job. She put some balls away," Look said. "Sometimes she's a little nervous, but today she relaxed and put those balls in the cage."

Lahainaluna (9-1), the Maui Interscholastic League champion, trailed 14-0 before Hailey Gill scored with 1:06 left in the third period.

'Iolani routed Kamehameha-Hawai'i on Thursday, 17-7.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertis er.com or 525-8041.

CONSOLATION

KAPOLEI (10-4) 0 3 3 0—6

KS-HAWAI'I (9-3) 3 3 2 0—8

Kapolei goals: Second period—Alexandra Jamora (4:26), Nicole Hagi (3:55), Hagi (0:18). Third period—Hagi (6:33), Desiree Mazzone (3:19), Hagi (2:03).

Kamehameha-Hawai'i goals: First period—Kanoe Lyons (3:23), Jodee Spencer (2:08), Angel Mahaulu (0:36). Second period—Alysyn Leonard (5:32), Lyons (4:45), Malia Cann (3:35). Third period—Spencer (3:35), Gentle Joy Akao (0:09).

LEILEHUA (7-7) 0 1 1 1—3

ROOSEVELT (12-2) 3 2 3 1—9

Leilehua goals: Second period—Jennifer Morihara (4:43). Third period—Stephanie Maddox (6:23). Fourth period—Robyn Araki (0:55).

Roosevelt goals: First period—Melina Kaio (3:01), Kamakana Keola (2:27), Marissa Young (0:57). Second period—Chyla Houghtailing (5:19), Lana Dang (3:47). Third period—Keola (4:40), Young (2:58), Keola (1:00). Fourth period—Young (3:19).

SEMIFINALS

HAWAI'I PREP (11-1) 1 4 1 1—7

KAHUKU (14-0) 3 1 3 2—9

Hawai'i Prep goals: First period—Kim Kopra (4:48). Second period—Kopra (4:23), Alex Eason (3:52), Eason (2:59), Eason (1:19). Third period—Eason (5:41). Fourth period—Lauren Paisley (1:16).

Kahuku goals: First period—Minnie Whitford (5:03), Gina Ahue (4:22), Rebecca Fonoimoana (3:24). Second period—Ahue (2:15). Third period—Ahue (4:11), Rosie Jaffurs (2:01), Fonoimoana (1:11). Fourth period—Whitford (5:57), Taniya Sifton (3:49).

LAHAINALUNA (9-1) 0 0 2 0— 2

'IOLANI (9-1) 3 7 4 2—16

Lahainaluna goals: Third period—Hailey Gill (1:06), Jocelyn Belden (0:25).

'Iolani goals: First period—Ashley Nickle (3:30), Nickle (1:15), Jade Look (0:46). Second period—Dara Tawarahara (6:42), Tawarahara (5:52), Look (4:26), Nickle (3:40), Tawarahara (2:33), Nickle (1:36), Nickle (1:02). Third period—Aja Kusao (6:30), Nickle (5:03), Nickle (4:37), Tawarahara (2:53). Fourth period—Shannon Whang (4:31), Elyse Shimomura (2:20).

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.