High school girls soccer MVPs knew how to fill up a net

Scoring goals, making the big pass or inspiring teammates were attributes displayed by the 2007 Deseret Morning News soccer MVPs. Each was the most important player to her respective team, and each showed the skills, leadership and desire necessary to elevate her teammates.

5A: Kealia Ohai, Alta

Kealia Ohai knows how to put the ball in the net — period. The sophomore forward led the classification with 29 goals this season. Add that to her 28-goal performance as a freshman, and by the time she finishes her high school career she will be pushing to break the state record of 131 set by Shauna Rohbock of Mountain View.

"She is something else," said Hawks coach Lee Mitchell. "Teams really have to focus to stop her, and even then, she still seems to find a way to break loose."

When other teams did focus on stopping her, she was unselfish enough to pass the ball off or even make a decoying run to open things up for her teammates.

"I think it is great to score," Ohai said. "But more than scoring, I want to win. I will do whatever it takes for us to get the 'W.' If that means I don't score, then so be it. I just want to do things to help the team."

Ohai took a little time away from Alta this season to help out her country on the field as well. She is a national team player and scored two goals in a friendly in September. She was recently called up the U-16 and 1/2 team, which means she will try to help the Americans qualify for the World Cup at that level.

"I think that playing with the national team only helps me be better for the high school team," added Ohai. "It is different soccer, but overall I think it helps me know what is needed in certain situations and helps me see the field a little bit differently."

The talented goal scorer has lost only twice in her high school career and has won two state championships. With still two years of eligibility remaining, perhaps she never will know what it is like to end the season with a loss.

4A: Kaitlyn Thomas, Orem

According to her coach, Ed Louder, Orem's Kaitlyn Thomas had a flair for the dramatic.

"She seemed to be able to pick her moments when it was time to take charge," he said. "She always seemed to be able to do it just when we really needed it. She was great when the spotlight was on her. She always was able to get an assist, or a goal or even draw a free kick just when we needed it most."