#SDSportsAwards, girls soccer: For Theresa Pujado, it's the best or nothing

The centerpiece on a deep, talented team, O’Gorman’s Theresa Pujado always found a way into the action. Her speed, vision and attacking ability played a vital role in the Knights’ state championship, as evidenced by Pujado’s two-goal effort in the finals against Rapid City Central.

“She’s made an impact scoring goals, winning balls in the center and distributing,” said coach Ryan Beier. “She was someone that teams knew they’d have to deal with all game. Even on an off night, she can score two goals within minutes and change the game completely around.”

Up 2-0 at halftime against the Cobblers, Pujado got the Knights going with two quick (and rangy) strikes to put the game out of contention.

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“Both of Theresa’s goals came from about 20-30 yards out,” Beier said. “As a midfielder she almost never scored in the box. … You don’t typically see goals scored from her distance very often.”

This season Pujado helped lead the Knights to a 13-0-2 record. By season’s end, she reached 30 career goals — and still has a senior season to look forward to.

Another thing going for Pujado, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln soccer recruit, is a tireless work ethic.

“A lot of players love the game and play the game when the whistle blows,” Beier said, “but Theresa is one of those players who is driven to always think about getting better.”

That quality comes through on the practice field and in games, and college scouts took notice.

“The coaches who recruited her saw it — she refuses to accept second or accept a loss,” Beier said. “She doesn’t settle for okay. She has to be the best.”