Lede role for Mustangs
With an increased presence on the field, journalism student Leofanti will try to help Metea Valley write another great ending
Metea Valley junior forward Isabella Leofanti has been passionate about soccer and writing ever since she can remember. She’s good at both.
“She’s really techie on the ball, so she’s able to get around people really well and get balls across the box,” Metea Valley junior forward Lily Senese said. “That leads to more opportunities, obviously, so we can finish.”
Leofanti began playing soccer when she was 4. Her father, Greg, coached a park district team that included Senese and current teammate Olivia Hernandez.
Those three all made the varsity team as freshmen, when they helped the Mustangs win their first state championship. Leofanti had a combined three goals and three assists in her first two seasons coming off the bench for one of the most prolific offenses in the state.
The Mustangs (5-0) haven’t missed a beat with Senese and Leofanti replacing graduated stars Tyra King and Jordan Lange in the starting lineup. Leofanti, a Kent State commit, has three goals and an assist this season.
“They’ve been around for a while, and that’s a good thing,” Metea Valley coach Chris Whaley said. “We’re able to get (Leofanti) in places where she can be successful.
“She’s used to training at a high level, and she knows what our expectations are. She should be whipping balls in the box and getting assists, she should be creating shots for herself, and she is starting to do that more and more, which is great.”
Leofanti is having a great time on the field, but that’s not the only place she’s enjoying herself. She joined the school newspaper, The Stampede, as a news reporter last school year and has become the news and headlines editor.