Leah Manuleleua graduated as the Manteca High girls soccer team’s all-time career leader in goals scored, but she has meant much more to the program.
Her value, says head coach Justin Coenenberg, is measured in many more ways. For the second straight season, the senior striker was named Most Valuable Player of the Valley Oak League after leading the Buffaloes to their first conference title in 11 years as well as their first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section title.
“She’s a player you’re not going to replace,” said Coenenberg, the VOL Coach of the Year. “She’s not just a great soccer player but a good human being and a caring person. She’s always smiling and laughing and was a pleasure to have on the team.
“One thing I always respected about her was that she’d have two or three girls all over her but she never complained to referees. She never played to the crowd or acted obnoxiously. She carried herself well and I think a lot of coaches respected that.”
Manuleleua ended the banner season with a school-record and state-leading (for spring soccer) 45 goals to go with 10 assists. She scored her career 116th career goal in the second half of the SJS Division III championship game against powerhouse Rio Americano, forcing a penalty kick shootout won by the Buffaloes. Manuleleua may have had more goals had she not missed all three games of the team’s annual Buff Cup tournament.
 A sturdy forward with deceptive speed, Coenenberg said that Manuleleua’s work ethic may be her greatest asset.
“Coming in as a freshman, we knew she was going to be a good player and she was for her first two years,” Coenenberg said. “But she worked really hard in the offseason and became a tremendous player going into her junior year. She continued to bloom and work hard.
“She’s very talented and athletic, but she’s also the hardest working player I’ve ever coached. She’s in the gym at 4:30 in the morning, eats healthy and always drinks water. She has committed herself to be a great player.”
Manteca (12-1-1, 25-2-1 overall) had four all-league first-team selections: midfielders Lejla Pepic (11 goals, 16 assists), Madison Burch (eight goals, five assists), forward Ivy Benson (eight goals, four assists) and defender Jasmine Basuil. The Manteca defense gave up just 14 goals in 28 games and five against league opponents.
Runner-up Sierra (11-0-3, 22-1-5) has a league-high five first-team players and is led by freshman forwards Yasmin Ballew (19 goals, six assists) and Jadyn Shinn (23 goals, 16 assists). Joining them are Kyndra Kiser (five goals, 13 assists), defender Alison Bitle and four-year varsity keeper Emma Broderick also made the first team.
Representing East Union (5-6-3, 11-7-3) are standout defender Mariah Jeffrey and midfielder Chloe Benham. Weston Ranch (2-12, 7-14-0) also has two first-team selections in defender Simran Kaur and midfielder Lizbeth Ortiz.
Making the second-team cut are East Union forward Julia Vigallon, Sierra midfielders Callie Crain and Annisity Miller, Manteca defenders Natalia Duran and Alexa Mayen, Sierra defender Kayley Alvarado and East Union defender Rosalia Ravelo.