Kamehameha’s Kulia Montgomery is committed to excellence

Kamehameha’s Kulia Montgomery has done everything possible to succeed at soccer, and it’s paid off. From training during school hours to extra sessions with coaches to proper nutrition, Montgomery’s determination led to an outstanding junior season and being named the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Montgomery, a forward, finished the season with eight goals and four assists as Kamehameha claimed the Hele/HHSAA Division I State Championship.

“Overall, I’m just super excited to have won this award,” Montgomery said. “More importantly, getting the state championship is what means the most to me. ” Kamehameha midfielder Ayva-Ray Malepeai, defender Kircha Cayetano and goalkeeper Kailla Miller also made the Stellar Eleven, which was voted on by coaches.

Miller only played in two games prior to the state tournament due to injury, but she came up big in the Warriors’ three games and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Goalkeeper. Punahou saw forward Maya Yoshimura, and defenders Olivia Schiel and Emily Sparks named to the first team. Rounding out the selections were Mililani forward Jaslene Cayetano, Kaiser midfielder Skyy Smith, Campbell midfielder Miyah Suster and Kamehameha- Maui midfielder Myla Tuitele.

Yoshimura and Sparks were repeat first-team selections. For Montgomery, it’s been all about work ethic and commitment. The Arizona State commit said she “trains almost every day,” even doing wall drills and lifting weights during free periods at school.