-- Never before had Matthew C. Perry's girls soccer team scored a victory over Nile C. Kinnick, until Thursday night, when the Samurai outlasted the Red Devils 3-1 at Berkey By The Bay.

Karla Stroud notched two goals, giving her 22 on the season, and Danielle Dobson another, her 20th of the campaign.

From losses by double-digit goal totals prior to coach Chris Anderson's arrival earlier this decade, the Samurai have gradually progressed -- Far East Class A Tournament finalist two seasons ago, first winning record in school history last year, now 11-4 this season with wins over two Class AA schools.

"We were everybody's punching bag for all those years, but we've gotten better and this is one of the better teams we've ever had and we got it done tonight," Anderson said. "I'm excited for the girls.

-- Just after it appeared as if Jessica Powell of Kubasaki would rule the long-distance roost this season on Okinawa, the reigning queen of the mile and two-mile, Zion Christian Academy's Teauna Baker, sent a reminder of why she won the island championship last year.

Bursting past Powell on the final turn, Baker turned in a 13-minute, 0.93-second time in the 3,200, with Powell coming in second in 13:02.37.

"I just wanted to win first place again," said Baker of her late kick. Powell, a freshman, "started pulling away on the seventh lap. I was winded, but I still wanted to fight for first place."