On a team filled with college-bound players, in a program that is synonymous with success in the sport of girls soccer, one player stood out anywhere she needed to be on the field.

Monte Vista junior Julia Leontini might not post the most impressive stat line at all times, but her ability to fill any role at an elite level makes her the driving force on a team that has now won back to back CIF NorCal Division I championships.

"Julia is, without a doubt, the most polished, hardest working player I have seen in 15 years with this program," said Monte Vista coach Chris Lum. "The quality of each piece of her game, her work ethic and her humility are just a few things which set her apart from other players."

The Stanford commit played as more of a defensive midfielder for the Mustangs before this season, but took on more of an attacking role this year. The result was 19 goals and seven assists, showcasing her ability to fill multiple roles, and from either side of the field. Her ball handling is equal with either foot, making her a threat to create or score from anywhere.

"Many players say they can play multiple positions, but Julia can play in any position in any line with the quality of the best players at the position," Lum said. "She is great defensively, in the air, and she is an incredibly dynamic attacking player as well. Her soccer IQ is off the charts and there's really nowhere on the field she can't play and be dominant."

Leontini's biggest game statistically was a three-goal, two-assist performance in a mid-January win over Dublin, but it was her two assists in a NorCal semifinal win over Carondelet which carried the biggest impact, in a 2-1 victory. In the NorCal final, she was responsible for keeping possession with the Mustangs against a previously unbeaten Davis team. And it is all a result of her work ethic.

"There are many hard working players, but Julia is in another class. She constantly works on her own after practice, whether it is technical training or physical conditioning. And she is on the field with a bag of balls at 7 am every game day, patterning and striking balls in parts of the field that she will replicate later in the game," Lum added. "There is a purpose to all her training, not just volume. I have rarely, if ever, seen that from a player her age."

For her efforts throughout the season, we are pleased to recognize Julia Leontini as the Prep2Prep North Coast Section Junior of the Year.

Other players considered include Carondelet's Ellie Ospeck, Redwood's Grace Bouton and Berkeley's Leah Freeman.

NOTE: We would like to thank our media partners, coaches, parents, players and fans for contributing photos for our all-section features. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of NCS soccer.