Tia Furuta’s beaming smile belies her fierceness on the soccer field. Opposing defenders are not exactly thrilled when Furuta has the ball and is moving up field or is within striking distance of the goal. She has an uncanny ability to put it away — she is an artist at finishing.

Goal scoring is one thing, but the Mililani junior striker did so much more than score 26 times. She was the embodiment of the fire that was necessary for the Trojans to overcome a devastating loss to Campbell in the OIA championship game and bring the state title back to the Central Oahu locale for the first time since 2002.

For that reason, Furuta is the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

"She saved our butts so many times," said Mililani senior midfielder Kayla Braunthal, who placed a close second in player of the year polling and easily made the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s first team.

The All-State selections were made after consultation with coaches from around the state.

Added the Trojans’ Ray Akiona, who was named coach of the year: "Her teammates expected Tia to take control and be there to lead them. She is a master at working to get position to get those goals. She has so much desire and is committed to not letting her team down. I’ve never seen her get mad or frustrated. Instead of getting mad, if things don’t go her way, she just tries harder."

Trailing 2-0 in the state quarterfinals against Punahou, Furuta scored twice in the second half — including the game-winner in the 76th minute — and Mililani edged the Buffanblu 3-2 to advance.

Braunthal, the strong field general who is going to play for Division II Concordia next season, was one of three midfielders chosen to the first team.

One more Mililani player, sophomore Malia Napoleon, was another first-team selection. She spearheaded the Trojans’ defense from her center fullback position and came on really strong in the run through the state tournament to the title.

Three ‘Iolani girls — senior forwards Kristen Hori and Megan Goo and junior defender Rachel Bowler — were picked to the first team.

Due to her fantastic driving, dribbling and passing ability, Hori — who scored 16 goals — had a great shot at player of the year, and it’s possible she could have gotten it had the Raiders not lost to the Trojans in the state final.

Goo was also a huge offensive threat for the Raiders, while Bowler played a big part on both sides of the field for ‘Iolani as an attacking outside back.

Two players from OIA champion and state semifinalist Campbell landed on the first team — highly skilled junior midfielder Aliani Lorenzo and hard-nosed senior fullback Aryana Cabudol.

First-team goalkeeper Taiana Tolleson made a big impression with her stalwart play in leading BIIF champion Konawaena to the state semifinals. In one BIIF game, the Wildcats junior made three PK saves in a victory over Kealakehe.

Hawaii Prep senior Gabbie Ewing, a ball distributor extraordinaire and the team’s unselfish field leader, also made the first team for the second year in a row after leading Ka Makani to their second straight D-II state title.

"Gabbie is the most competitive female player I have coached," HPA coach Steve Perry said.

Kailey Totherow, a junior who was Punahou’s top defender all season, according to coach Starr Johnson, rounds out the first team.

FIRST TEAM

Goalkeeper

Taiana Tolleson, Konawaena, Jr.

Defenders

Malia Napoleon, Mililani, So.

Rachel Bowler, ‘Iolani, Jr.

Aryana Cabudol, Campbell, Sr.

Kailey Totherow, Punahou, Jr.

Midfielders

Kayla Braunthal, Mililani, Sr.

Aliani Lorenzo, Campbell, Jr.

Gabbie Ewing, Hawaii Prep, Sr.

Forwards

Tia Furuta, Mililani, Jr.

Kristen Hori, ‘Iolani, Sr.

Megan Goo, ‘Iolani, Sr.

SECOND TEAM

Goalkeeper

Kiley Haraguchi, Campbell, Sr.

Defenders

Jordan Gomes, Pearl City, Sr.

Kasey Isobe, Mililani, Jr.

Sarah Lau, Kamehameha, Sr.

Midfielders

Chardonnay Curran, Campbell, So.

True Dydasco, Punahou, So.

Kylee Kim-Bustillos, ‘Iolani, So.

Hoku Afong, Moanalua, Sr.

Forwards

Kaile Halvorsen, Punahou, Fr.

Noelle Mercado, Kaiser, Sr.

Kayla Watanabe, Mid-Pacific, Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Goalkeepers

Andrea Kenagy, Mililani;

Noelani Kong-Johnson, Punahou;

Courtney Overland, ‘Iolani

Defenders

Kari Adams, ‘Iolani;

Jordyn Bjur, Waialua;

Allison Candelario, Punahou;

Ashlynn Chargualaf, Campbell;

Erin Dung, Punahou;

Alissa Nahale-Blanco, Konawaena;

Ashley Nakoa-Kawahakui, Waialua;

Kanoe Morihara, Mililani;

Keisha Sato, Waiakea;

Hope Tsuneyoshi, Kamehameha

Midfielders

Lauryn Cabudol, Campbell;

Hailey Graham, Moanalua;

Leialoha Medeiros, Kamehameha-Maui;

Janae Souza, Kauai;

Tiana Young-Mauchly, Mid-Pacific;

Jayna Morikawa, Mililani;

Janaye Shepherd, Mid-Pacific;

Emma Young, Kamehameha

Forwards

Kamaile Aluli, Kahuku;

Kai Hasegawa, Kaiser;

Cierra-Lynn Ramirez, Waialua;

Kaulana Ruedy, Konawaena;

Kaui Taylor, Hawaii Prep;

Bri Vallente, Hawaii Prep;

Kailana Kaeo, Mililani;

Jamie Saito, Pac-Five;

Sabrina Scott, Waiakea;

Nikki Suwa, Pearl City;

Tiani Teanio, Waiakea;

Daelenn Tokunaga, Pearl City;

Kekai Wong Yuen, Kamehameha-Hawaii;

Coby Yoshimura, Mid-Pacific

ENLARGE CHART