She can make you laugh, cry, lift your spirits and lead you to a state championship.

Senior goalkeeper Kanani Taaca helped lead the Kamehameha girls soccer team to its third straight state title on Saturday with an 1-0 win over Punahou. She was named the tournament's most valuable player after shutting out three opponents. Perhaps more startling was how big of a role Taaca played in helping Kamehameha reach the tournament.

Two losses midway through the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season nearly derailed a chance for the Warriors to make the state tournament. But Taaca helped rally the team together.

"This one stands out the most because it's my last year and all the controversy we had to go through with two losses and coming back from that," Taaca said. "I do think each and every one of the state tournament titles are very significant in their own right and all the ups and downs we went through."

Losses to Punahou and 'Iolani in the ILH second round created a logjam in the ILH standings, especially since only the top two teams received berths to the state tournament.

"We had gone undefeated for a season and a half," Kamehameha coach Michele Nagamine said. "We didn't really get a lot of goals scored against us and in two games, we have five or six. Kanani took a lot of that upon herself."

Taaca remained resilient through the midseason swing, showing nothing but a "positive disposition," according to Nagamine. Nagamine described Taaca as an emotional leader who can provide comic relief and always wants what's best for the team.

"She's got such good soul," Nagamine said.

Taaca said the losses were humbling.

"I think our losses were good for us," Taaca said. "It kept us humble, especially coming from an undefeated season last year and undefeated first round. It motivated us to be better.

"I think it just made our team come closer together."

Nagamine remembers a day at practice when she mentioned that her goalkeeper was rattled because of the losses. Taaca was quick to point out otherwise.

"She contradicts me in front of the whole team," Nagamine said. "She didn't mean it disrespectfully. She said this is part of the game and we're going to do better."

It proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Courtney-Rae Botelho scored in the championship game for Kamehameha, which finished the year at 13-2.

"I'm still in shock that we have accomplished our goals for this year," Taaca said. "Our team worked so hard throughout the whole season and went through ups and downs."

Meanwhile, Nagamine will also coach the Hawai'i Pacific University women's soccer team in the fall. She was hired last month and will continue to coach at Kamehameha as well. She said both schools have been very supportive in allowing her to handle both duties.

Reach Stanley Lee at sktlee@honoluluadvertiser.com.