Just because three-time defending champion Punahou is not involved this year, don’t think the road to the state girls soccer title is any easier.

The Buffanblu lost out to Kamehameha and ‘Iolani in the ILH’s regular season, leaving the Warriors with the top seed in the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Girls Soccer State Championships at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park beginning today at 3 p.m.

Kamehameha is happy to have the extra day off that comes with its bye, but don’t expect the Warriors to treat it as a coronation. They lost in the championship to Punahou as the top seed in 2009, the last time they graced the tournament.

"It definitely helps," Kamehameha coach Missy Moore said. "It is one more day to train and one less game to play. But it isn’t that big of an advantage."

Punahou won both as the top seed (2010 and ’11) and unseeded (2009) during its reign, and Buffanblu coach Matt Martinson knows that every tournament is different and the way it works out might help both representatives from his league.

"It matters, you notice it mostly on Saturday night if (Kamehameha) gets that far," Martinson said. "They will be fresher, but with ‘Iolani’s depth the extra game can actually help them. It gives them another game to get things right."

The Raiders went undefeated through the, ILH but slipped up and tied Pac-Five to ultimately drop them into second place. Even though they are unseeded and have to get through Aiea in the first round, the Raiders might scare people the most with their tough defense and the scoring ability of Kama Pascua.

"‘Iolani has been very strong this year," Martinson said. "I think a lot of people look at them as the favorite."

Pascua is one of many game-changers in the tournament, joined by Raisa Strom-Okimoto of Aiea, Taylor Candelario of Kaiser and Storm Kenui of Moanalua. Kamehameha has Kauwela Neal, who scored 11 goals in 12 games for the Warriors, but their strength is more built on depth than anyone else except ‘Iolani and Moanalua.

"Our seniors, those who have been with us for four years, have not been to a championship game since they were freshmen," Moore said. "They are so excited to get this opportunity. This team is hungry."

Mililani and Kapolei highlight the first round after each lost to Moanalua in the OIA tournament and the Trojans were shut out by Kaiser in the third-place game. The Trojans have been in the semifinals at states for each of the past four years. The Hurricanes are making their fifth straight tournament appearance, but have never reached the final four.

"I’m not sure how that happened," Martinson said. "That is one of those first-round games that will draw a lot of attention."

Other first-round matches in the Division I tournament include Kamehameha-Maui vs. Kaiser and Konawaena vs. Pearl City. All first-round contests will be at 3 p.m. on different fields at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park.

Na Menehune are making their third straight tournament appearance and will enjoy the bye into the quarterfinals, awaiting Konawaena or Pearl City. Moanalua caught the attention of the ILH schools with its impressive run through the OIAs.

"Going through the ILH, it’s a tough league," Moore said. "But every league is tough, really. There are no easy games at this point. Moanalua looked impressive, they can beat anyone."

The Division II tournament will run alongside the Division I tournament with Mid-Pacific as the top seed, joined by OIA champ Waipahu, Kauai from the KIF and the BIIF’s Hawaii Prep. Kamehameha-Hawaii vs. Radford, Kapaa vs. Seabury Hall, Kalaheo vs. Honokaa and Leilehua vs. Makua Lani Christian make up the first round.

Punahou boys clinch ILH

The Punahou boys soccer team beat Mid-Pacific 3-0 to clinch the ILH title on Tuesday.

"The chemistry was good this year," Punahou coach David Trifonovitch said. "You always need a little bit of luck during a season and this was a year all of the luck seemed to come our way."

The Buffanblu (8-1-0) get the seeded berth in the state tournament even if they lose to ‘Iolani (6-1-2) on Friday in the regular season finale. Kamehameha (6-2-1) plays Mid-Pacific (1-5-2) the same day and trails the Raiders by a point in the standings. Assuming Kamehameha beats Mid-Pacific — the Warriors beat them 5-0 earlier this year — ‘Iolani would need to beat Punahou to earn the league’s second berth in the state tournament. ‘Iolani has 20 points and Kamehameha has 19. A win is worth three points and a tie is worth one.

Don’t expect the Buffanblu to roll over.

"It is a pride game," Punahou coach David Trifonovitch said. "We play for school pride and we are going to go for the win because that is what we should do. We gave Kamehameha our best, and we will give ‘Iolani our best as well."