From the time Leila was 4 years old she loved being competitive. She started out following her brother racing BMX, where she travelled all over and was 6th in the country by the time she was 6 years old. While one might say this is what made her tough and determined, really she was born that way. At 6 years old, she was “recruited” by a friend’s dad to play soccer on their team and it was then that she found her purpose. She absolutely loved the game of soccer from the first season and still does today. As Leila developed, she was challenged by coaches and teammates to become better. First they said score, so she did, many times! Then it was juggle to 100, so after a few months she could juggle 5000. Now days it’s more fitness and injury prevention as her goal is to get better and keep the ability to always play. No matter what the challenge, Leila works to meet and beat it.

Growing up in Reno, her parents used to drive her the 4-5 hour round trip to Sacramento most evenings to be on the most competitive team possible, which for her was the San Juan SC ECNL 07’s. Eventually, the drive became too much and she was able to go to school and live closer to where she played soccer!

The work ethic and drive Leila had developed has not been limited to soccer. She has pride in everything that she does and enjoys being challenged. Leila has worked to have perfect grades, amazing friends, and to help her family in every way possible.

Leila’s dream is to play D1 soccer for a school and coach that challenges her. She is honored to be verbally committed to playing for Columbia University in 2025 and excited to play for such amazing coaches!