Nothing quite like a miracle shot in sudden-death overtime to win a first league championship.

Aja Kusao scored on a fade-away lob shot as the shot clock expired in the third overtime to lift host 'Iolani over Punahou, 9-8, yesterday in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls water polo tournament final.

Kusao had the ball on the left side about 20 feet from goal and was under heavy pressure from a Buffanblu defender. She fired a high shot that went just out of the reach of the Punahou goalie into the top right corner of the goal at 1:56.

It was Kusao's only goal of the match.

"It was a lucky shot," Kusao said. "Punahou is a really good team and we feel that we could match them this year. We put our heart into it."

The Raiders and Buffanblu played 28 minutes of regulation, and two three-minute overtime periods prior to the sudden-death phase.

It was 'Iolani's first ILH championship and it will make its first state tournament appearance next week. An ILH school has won all three girls state water polo championships.

"There are so many seniors on this team it's just a great feeling that all these seniors can go to states for the first time," said 'Iolani's Jade Look.

Look scored three of her four goals in the first half, but missed out on Kusao's game-winner.

"Actually, I was swimming back on defense already," Look said. "I didn't even see it, I heard everyone screaming, I turn around and I see Aja. I'm just like, 'Oh my gosh, thank you, thank you.' It was just amazing."

Look added: "I'm going to have to watch it on video."

'Iolani coach Linda Look said Kusao usually misses on lob shots.

"Usually when she makes those shots, they go over the goal, but this time it was meant to be and it went in," the third-year head coach said.

Punahou coach Ken Smith was satisfied with the way his team defended the final shot.

"We played great defense there right at the end and if they're going to take a shot that's the kind of shot you want them to take," he said.

'Iolani (7-1) scored three goals over the final 2:35 of the first half to take a 5-2 advantage.

Punahou (5-3) battled back to tie it at 6 on a goal by Katie Fletcher with 4:25 left in the third period. Her shot from the left side was blocked by the goalie, but a surge of water pushed it over the goal line.

"We wanted to put it away in regulation time," Linda Look said. "Ken Smith is an excellent coach and you can never take him for granted. He always can come back. That's why we told our girls no matter what the lead is, you can't let down. They're famous for coming back hard."

Punahou's Kulani Jenkins tied it at 7 with 1:16 remaining in regulation. In the final 12 seconds, she put two shots off the post.

The Raiders' Elyse Shimomura (2:26) and the Buffanblu's Jenkins (1:07) scored in the first overtime.

In the second overtime, 'Iolani had three shots go off the post.

'Iolani goalie Geri Manago made eights saves, while Punahou's Kim Hall had 12.

The Raiders also beat Kamehameha in sudden-death overtime earlier in the season.

"We won in sudden death against Kamehameha and we won in sudden death against Punahou, it just proves we can come out in the end even if we're tired," Kusao said.

Fletcher and Jenkins each scored three goals for Punahou.

Earlier, Kamehameha beat Pac-Five, 14-2, for third place.

PUNAHOU 2 0 2 3 1 0 0—8

'IOLANI 2 3 1 1 1 0 1—9

PUNAHOU GOALS

First period—Katie Fletcher (4:15); Fletcher 3:17).

Third period—Kulani Jenkins (5:04, power play); Aisha Price (3:02). Fourth period—Sasha Fuller (5:47); Fletcher (4:25); Jenkins (1:16, power play). First overtime: Jenkins (1:07).

'IOLANI GOALS

First period—Jade Look (5:38, power play); Dara Tawarahara (:10). Second period—Look (2:35, power play); Look (1:30); Ashley Nickle (0:51). Third period—Kellie Young :25). Fourth period—Look (3:43, power play). First overtime: Elyse Shimomura (2:26). Third overtime: Aja Kusao (1:56).

THIRD PLACE

KAMEHAMEHA 14, PAC-FIVE 2

KS—Hannah Thomas 3, Ashley Akeo 3, Hanalei Crowell 2, Karie Nickle 2, Jenna Quinn 1, Elikea Snow 1, Kalaniiki Long 1, Nanea Fujiyama 1. P5—Paige Tsuroda, Nicole Ulmei.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.