It would be an unfamiliar O'ahu Interscholastic Association quarterfinals without the Mililani boys soccer team.

But thanks to senior forward Kelsey Kikugawa, the Trojans are still alive with a chance to collect a sixth straight OIA title.

Kikugawa scored as Mililani beat Kaiser, 1-0, in the first round of the OIA playoffs last night at Kapolei High School.

Mililani (8-2-1) advances to play West champ Leilehua (9-1-0) today at 7 p.m.

For the first time in at least a decade, Mililani didn't finish in the top two of the West Division and receive an automatic berth into the quarterfinals. The Trojans' fifth seed was a result of the competitiveness of the OIA, Mililani coach Jeff Yamamoto said.

"Our last game (a 1-0 loss to Leilehua), if we won we would've been first. But we lost, so we were fifth," Yamamoto said. "From one through six, it's competitive."

Yamamoto couldn't recall the last time Mililani had to play a first-round game. He didn't know if his players felt any pressure from being the defending champs, but were up for playing for a different reason.

"I think this is the kind of game high school players play for," he said. "There's a lot of pressure because we have to win. But they like the competition."

Kikugawa received a pass from Alex Gustafson down the left sideline, dribbled to the top of the 18-yard box, beat a defender by cutting in, then shot a low ball into the left corner of the goal in the 59th minute.

Kaiser, whose season is over, played an even game with Mililani. Each team had its share of shots, but neither was especially dangerous.

"The kids rose to the occasion," Kaiser coach Michelle Schreiner said.

Kikugawa said the Trojans "felt (the Cougars) out in the beginning. They came out strong. They were ready for us. We didn't know how they would play, so we couldn't attack because we might have been countered."

KAPOLEI 5, KAIMUKI 3

Aaron Santiago scored two goals and Mychal Malachi and Jason Valmoja and Curtis Kiyabu each added one as the Hurricanes advanced to play Moanalua tonight at 5:15.

Accer "Javier" Alvarado scored twice and Riki Nozawa added one for Kaimuki.

"I have kind of mixed feelings because we came out strong with a 5-0 lead and then we gave up three," Kapolei coach Bryce Kaneshiro said.

Another setback for the Hurricanes was that senior Keoki Haole received a red card in the first half, and will miss tonight's game.

OTHER SCORES

OIA BOYS FIRST ROUND

KALANI 3, WAIALUA 1

Goals—Kalan: Jared Sasaki, Carter Kam, Dylan Tashner. Waial: Josiah Castellanos.

KALAHEO 1, PEARL CITY 0

Goal—Kalah: Donovan Correa.

ILH GIRLS VARSITY

KAMEHAMEHA 2, PAC-FIVE 0

Goals—KS: Courtney Botelho, Jacque Ho.

'IOLANI 6, MID-PACIFIC 0

Goals—Iol: Kirsten Adams 2, Caroline Tamayose, Jesi Sasaki, Randi Furutani, Kellee Murayama.

PUNAHOU 5, ST. FRANCIS 0

Goals—Pun: Brittney Sanford 2, Marisa Schoen, Kim Culver, Mel Feldman.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.