The make‑or‑break factor for any team is how well it can maneuver through the middle, and Puna gives that. She keeps possession in tight spaces. She also makes smart, purposeful distributions that help HTX control the rhythm of play. Taking her skill set into the GA Cup, her range will be on full display. Additionally, she uses her overall soccer IQ effectively to connect lines. She is a player whose impact in the midfield will be important to watch for Team Royal.

Puna had impressive footwork to dance around defenders before hitting home a nifty finish on the opening goal in the win over Baltimore Armour on Sunday. She showed good balance and control while in a tight space. Rhea Steil was also a standout for the HTX side.

Playing as a central midfielder, Puna was HTX’s offensive hub in the match. Every attacking play of her team went through her, who was very intelligent with her distribution, quickly moving the ball from the center of the field, and also stepped into the final third to attempt final passes and shots. Puna was also very active defensively, covering ground in midfield and using her quickness to win the ball. She was moved to the backline in the final minutes of the match, but continued to step into the attacking half and make plays, operating as an extra playmaker for her team as Rise was limited to defending.

Puna was unstoppable in Shadow Creek’s 2-1 victory over Clements in the Consolation round of the Spartan Bracket. Besides scoring the two goals in the team’s comeback, she was a constant threat to the opposing backline, making dangerous runs every time she got on the ball. Puna displayed great pace and ball control, but it was her ability to change directions in the blink of an eye that made her so difficult to stop. The forward battled inside the penalty box to score her team’s first goal and found the back of the net for the second time with a beautiful, well-placed left-footed shot from outside the box. She also worked well with her back to the goal, facilitating many offensive plays.