A resilient Kamehameha boys soccer team kept its poise and rallied for a 2-1 victory over host 'Iolani yesterday.

Kekoa Osorio scored the go-ahead goal and the Warriors (6-0-1) remained in contention with Punahou (7-0-1) for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title and an automatic state berth.

"Our coach told us not to look ahead toward states, but to focus on the individual games and the ILH," Osorio said.

The Raiders (4-3), on the other hand, likely missed their opportunity for the state tournament with the loss in a physical game that saw five yellow cards, including four on Kamehameha.

"We're in a tough position," said 'Iolani coach Chris Lee, whose team has three games remaining. "We need a lot of help (from other teams). Definitely, Punahou and Kamehameha are in good positions for the two berths."

The ILH and Maui Interscholastic League each receive one state berth, but must play each other for another berth.

The boys state championships are Feb. 14 to 17 at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Park.

'Iolani took a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute yesterday when Kevin Fung scored off a crossing pass from fellow forward Ian Watson.

On the play, the Warriors failed to clear the ball that trickled out to Fung in the middle of the penalty box.

Lee said he didn't feel the 1-0 lead was enough against Kamehameha, which entered the game with 20 goals in six games.

"Kamehameha is a tough team," Lee said. "You have to play 80 minutes. I didn't feel comfortable at that time."

The Warriors struggled early with their ball control, mainly one-touch passing and trapping, but sharpened their game after falling behind.

"That first goal woke us up," Kamehameha's David Obando said. "We knew we had to step it up from there."

Obando did just that, helping Kamehameha tie the score in the 28th minute.

Osorio started the play by heading a pass to Obando, who knocked a left-footed shot from 18 yards that bounced off the right post into the goal.

"We always trail early," Osorio said of the Warriors' slow starts. "But we always fight back."

Kamehameha went ahead, 2-1, just before intermission on a powerful shot by Osorio, launched from 30 yards near the left sideline in the 38th minute.

The long goal surprised dozens of spectators that lined 'Iolani's field, but not the Raiders' coach.

"Kekoa Osorio is a special player," Lee said. "He has far more experience than anyone on this field — and he showed it."

Neither team could score in the second half. Kamehameha's defense stiffened in the final 40 minutes, allowing just three shots on goal.

Kamehameha hosts Punahou, 4:15 p.m. on Friday.

Others ILH scores:

BOYS VARSITY

PAC-FIVE 11, DAMIEN 0

Goals—Pac5: Jon Lau 3, Christian Bradley 2, Ross Taira-Kuehu 2, Aaron Businger, Kyohei Sekino, James Agbayani, Ian Sutherland.

PUNAHOU 2, SAINT LOUIS 1

Goals—Pun: Jon Cowen, Christopher Walker. SL: Deven Abilay.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.