Player of the Year Carly Ann Cormack left her mark on the pitch

Mar. 31—Punahou's Carly Ann Cormack once again left her mark during the soccer season despite being heavily marked by opponents.

Punahou's Carly Ann Cormack once again left her mark during the soccer season despite being heavily marked by opponents.

Cormack, who helped lead the Buffanblu to a second consecutive state title, was named the repeat winner of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser girls soccer Player of the Year as voted on by a panel of coaches.

"It feels amazing. It really is an honor to be Player of the Year in general and also this is my second time, so obviously, I'm very happy, very honored, " Cormack said.

Cormack, a senior midfielder, finished with 11 goals and nine assists for Punahou, which finished 12-1-0.

She produced on the field while often being marked or double-teamed.

"I feel like I definitely had a target on me, " Cormack said.

Punahou coach Shelley Izuno said : "I told her take it as a compliment. Tactically, if she's double-teamed, then someone's open, so find that outlet. She understands that situation."

Punahou had six players on the Stellar Eleven, while state runner-up Kamehameha and semifinalist Mililani each had two, and Campbell, the other semifinalist, had one.

Cormack and Mililani senior forward I 'ai Fuamatu-Maafala were repeat first-team selections.

The Buffanblu joining Cormack on the first team were forwards Anuhea "Sachie " Ilae and Xehlia Salanoa, midfielder Nicole Beauchemin, defender Laule 'a Ah Mook Sang and goalkeeper Trisha Nitta. All six players are seniors.

Salanoa finished with 11 goals and Ilae added 10 for Punahou, which outscored its opponents 63-3.

"It was a new challenge for (Cormack ) and also for the team knowing she would be marked and we have a lot of weapons. You can't mark only her, " Izuno said.

Kamehameha was represented by junior forward Madison Sharrer and junior midfielder Sarah Naumu. Campbell senior defender Jaylee Curran and Mililani junior defender Camryn Kunihisa also made the first team.

Cormack's value went far beyond statistics.

"The biggest thing is her leadership, " Izuno said. "She's a two-year captain, but the biggest part of her leadership is leading my example. There's not a day when she is not one of the hardest working players. She brings everybody up with her."

While Cormack drew a lot of attention from opposing defenses, she doesn't like attention off of it, according to Izuno.

"If you ever compliment her or give her any kind of attention she immediately deflects it onto the team, " Izuno said. "She understands also her success on a soccer team of 11 on the field and we have 24 players, it takes the entire team to succeed. She understands the concept and she is a really great team player. Just really humble."

Cormack, an Oregon commit, is part of a 12-player Punahou senior class, seven of whom will play in college.

"I'm really looking forward to going to Oregon, " Cormack said. "I committed on the more early side (between sophomore and junior years ). I've already had a lot of conversations with my coaches and players there already and they were talking about what to expect and what the coaches like. I'm just so excited for this new chapter in my life and I hope to continue working hard and working toward my goals."

Izuno, in her seventh season with the Buffanblu, was named Coach of the Year for the second consecutive time.

"I see myself like putting the puzzle together and making the pieces fit best as I can without any drama, " Izuno said.