A preseason switch in positions led to a plenitude of goals by Punahou junior forward Nick Love this season.

"We needed a goal, and we moved him up front," Punahou coach Bob Clague said.

Love embraced his role as the go-to player for the Buffanblu and was named The Advertiser's State Player of the Year in a vote of 14 coaches and media from around the state after leading Punahou to its first state title since 1998.

Love scored 14 goals in the regular season and added two more in the state tournament to go along with three assists in the semifinal and championship games.

"He had the combination of speed and skill, and was able to get around the back of the defense and put in the goal that mattered," Clague said.

Iolani coach Chris Lee said Love's unselfishness was another key trait.

"He creates for his teammates, so it is difficult to defend against him," Lee said.

Pac-Five senior Reid Woodward and Waimea senior Chad Thompson join Love on the first team as forwards.

Woodward was the Interscholastic League of Honolulu co-Offensive Player of the Year with Love after notching a league-high 16 goals, scoring against every team but Punahou.

"He's fast, good in the air, has a great touch — all the things you look for in a forward. And he puts the balls in the back of the net," Lee said. "He was the most dangerous forward next to Nick Love in the ILH."

Thompson, a speedy and relentless frontrunner, was named the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year.

"He has that great work ethic you like in your forwards," Lee said. "He chases every loose ball and creates opportunities for his teammates."

First-team midfielders are Leilehua senior Daniel Phelps, Kamehameha junior Kekoa Osorio, Iolani senior Lee Anderson, Kaiser senior Matt Bush, Honoka'a senior Eli Bowman and Hawai'i Prep senior C.J. Cintas.

The midfield is arguably the deepest of all positions. All six on the first team possessed the ability to change a game and controlled their team's tempo and style.

Phelps was the Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division co-Player of the Year.

"He is probably one of the top two or three players in the state," Mililani coach Jeff Yamamoto said. "He has really good skills, he has good speed, and size."

Osorio's ability to handle and distribute the ball made him key for Kamehameha. He repeated as a first-team member.

"Kekoa is one of those players who can affect the outcome of the game at any moment, whether it's a shot or an assist," Lee said.

Bush, a first-team defender last season, was moved up to add more control to the Cougars' midfield.

"I think he's a very tough defender, tough on tackles, strong in the air, one of the two key players for Kaiser," Yamamoto said.

Anderson was "a special player," Lee said. "He has very good vision. He has a certain determination about him; he doesn't give up."

Bowman, a repeat first-team selection, was a "very composed player," Clague said. "I wouldn't mind having him on my team."

Cintas controlled the midfield for Ka Makani, and his scoring ability made him a focus of opposing teams.

"He had good possession, he was a good passer and he was a leader on the field," Clague. "He was a big factor on that team."

Punahou placed two players along with Love on the first team: junior defender Will Jensen and sophomore defender Chris Walker. Kapolei senior Bryson Tamanaha rounds out the defensive selections.

Jensen could be used in the midfield or the backline. His versatility gave Punahou the option of different looks.

"He just clogs everything up," Clague said. "He's a big guy, good in the air, good on defense."

Walker, who often sent left-footed blasts across the field and out of dangerous situations, "got the ball out when we needed to get it out," Clague said. "We generally didn't have a problem on the left side — he shut it down."

Tamanaha was a key cog in the Hurricanes' undefeated run through the OIA West, helping a defense that allowed five goals in nine games in the regular season.

"He was very quick, got the ball out very well, and took the pressure off Kapolei defense," Clague said. "He was always in the right place."

Saint Louis senior Matt Terry is the first- team goalkeeper. He was the ILH Defensive Player of the Year.

"He keeps playing hard even when it's easy to get frustrated when your team gives up a lot of possessions," Clague said. "He did everything: talked well, threw well, kicked well."

Punahou's Clague was named Coach of the Year, and he credited assistant coaches Scott Metcalf, Bernie Alvarez and Sean Akamine. Also receiving votes were Iolani's Lee and Mililani's Yamamoto.