EDINBURG —Edinburg High senior Leah Sanchez was born with two left feet, making her hate soccer as a kid. That is until Sanchez stepped onto the pitch to compete for the first time during the sixth grade.
After one game, she was hooked.
Since then, the forward evolved into a four-year starter for the Bobcats, with her initial hate for the sport and her two left feet not able to slow her down.
Sanchez helped the Bobcats achieve a 55-23-7 overall record during her four years with the program, including two playoff appearances, missing the postseason only once as a freshman and once due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Individually, Sanchez compiled the accolades as well, earning first team all-district honors four times and being named co-offensive player of the year in District 31-6A during her junior season. She was also named the Bobcat’s offensive MVP in each of her four years.
Now, Sanchez is set to move on to the next level, signing her national letter of intent Friday to continue her academic and athletic career at Schreiner University, an NCAA Division III program that plays in the Southern Collegiate Athletic conference.
“It’s exhilarating and exciting,” Sanchez said. “My hands were shaking when signing the paper. I’m just so excited to see what God has in store for me and what the plans are ahead.
Sanchez joins the Mountaineers after a dominating career with the Bobcats, tallying 104 goals in four years. She finished off her senior season with 16 goals and 8 assists, helping her team to a second-place finish in District 31-6A and a postseason appearance.
Bobcats’ girls’ soccer head coach Cerjio Elizarraraz said Sanchez’s high motor is what has helped her dominate on the field, with her foot always on the gas both during practice and in games.
“She’s one of those go-get-it type girls,” he said. “I was going to say that I had two words to describe her and those are words ‘high intensity’. That’s just her style. That’s her style of practice and that’s her style of playing.”
Elizarraraz went on to say that Sanchez’s faith is what caught his eye when he met her, saying it helped the talented forward emerge as leader for the Bobcats.
“Her faith was one part of Leah that really stood out,” he said. “With her character and her personality, everyone around her just wanted to be like her. She has a lot of courage. But, behind all that she’s a sweet loveable girl and her character is just amazing. She’s been able to touch all the other girls that are around her.”
Likewise, Sanchez said her faith played the biggest role in her becoming an offensive weapon for the Bobcats despite playing with two left feet, giving all the credit for her successes to God.
“The key to my success has always revolved around God,” she said. “I’ve always revolved it around him. The way that I score, passion, it’s always been because of him. And well, he’s gotten me here today.”
Sanchez plans to be a pre-med major while at Schreiner and pursue a career as a doctor to help others out.