4A HONORS: ‘Gutsy’ Tuiofea tabbed Northwest POY

Sila Tuiofea was a dominating force for Palo Verde’s girls soccer team this season.

Apparently, one of the most dominating in the Northwest League.

Tuiofea was named Player of the Year by league coaches, and received All-Southern Nevada, All-Sunset Region and All-Northwest League honors to go along with it.

“She definitely brought a dynamic to the field that, without her, probably would have been totally absent on our team,” Palo Verde coach Frank Messina said. “She’s a striker who had a presence on the field that nobody else had.

“I’d say she’s one of the gutsiest players that I’ve had the pleasure of coaching.”

The senior forward who has signed with Gonzaga finished the regular season with 26 goals, helping the Panthers (13-6-3, 11-3 Northwest) earn the No. 2 seed in the region playoffs.

Palo Verde advanced to the Sunset Region semifinals, where it was stunned by Centennial, 4-1. Tuiofea notched the Panthers’ only goal in the loss.

“She can pull defenders onto the field that can create plays for us that probably never would’ve been there,” Messina said. “I don’t know how many times I’ve seen her get knocked down on the field, and she just jumps right back up.”

Palo Verde teammates Stacie Gubler, Megan Randazzo, Jordan Fleming and Alexa D’Acunto also earned all-league honors.

“Stacie’s been by far one of the best keepers to come through Palo Verde’s program,” Messina said of the Panther goalkeeper who has committed to Dixie State (Utah). “Once Stacie came around, she’s been one of the more solid keepers.”

Arbor View’s Jay Howard was named Northwest coach of the year.

In the Northeast League, forward Alexis Sama took Player of the Year honors after leading Eldorado to its first league title since 2001. Valley’s Terry Pryer was named Coach of the Year.

Coronado goalkeeper Kaitlyn Fahrner was Southeast Player of the Year, and Green Valley’s Roy Snyder was tabbed Coach of the Year.

Southwest League champion Spring Valley swept the top honors, with goalkeeper and Southern California commit Megan Delaney taking Player of the Year and Bill Hamilton being named Coach of the Year.