St. Charles East’s Mya Leon
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stares down failure with a natural ferocity.The sophomore forward rarely hesitates. She plays with clarity and a sense of purpose for the Saints — things that usually lead to pretty meaningful consequences on the scoresheet.
“I’m not scared to take chances or go after scoring opportunities,” Leon said. “I’m always willing to do anything possible to get the ball into the net. I’m always trying to move on and off the ball.”
Leon got the ball rolling again Tuesday for St. Charles East.
She scored a goal early in the first half to ignite the Saints in a 3-0 victory over DuKane Conference rival St. Charles North during a game on Tri-Cities Night in Batavia.
Junior midfielder Sophia Wollenberg assisted on Leon’s goal and also scored in the second half for St. Charles East (15-0-4, 3-0-1). Junior defender Josy Pearce also scored in the first half.
Senior goalkeeper Lauren Korioth made seven saves for St. Charles North (5-6-1, 2-1).
Just 1:39 into the game, however, Wollenberg set up Leon for her 37th goal of the season.
“Mya is insanely fast on the ball and is always going to do anything to help the team,” Wollenberg said. “Her shots are beautiful and her work rate is so high. She just keeps going.”
Leon has scored or assisted on 47 of the Saints’ 78 goals.
“Mya’s athletic ability allows her to do so many different things on the field that set her apart,” St. Charles East coach Vince DiNuzzo said. “What is scary about Mya is we don’t think she has reached her ceiling.
“She’s a humble, hardworking kid who loves her teammates.”
Last season as a precocious freshman, Leon made a spectacular debut by scoring 34 goals and contributing 12 assists. Her breakout game was a three-goal effort against the North Stars.
She went to earn all-conference, all-area and all-state honors. Quick and athletic, she uses her explosive speed to get to the edge. She has that instinct and sense of the moment.
“I’m very fast and I have great endurance,” she said.
Leon also has a special talent on set pieces for the Saints, using her agility and explosiveness to perform flip throws. The power and velocity she generates resembles a corner kick.
“I started doing that during the quarantine,” she said. “I taught myself how to tumble and do flips in the backyard. Then I tried it at practice one day in fifth grade. My coach asked me if I could do it.
“I went home that night and learned how to do it. I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Her most significant influence comes from a wholly different time, place and sport. Her father Brigmer, a native of Venezuela, was a standout pitcher for the Kane County Cougars.
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Watching his dedication to his craft had a dramatic impact on Mya growing up.
“I get a lot of my natural athleticism from him,” she said. “He’s my biggest supporter, lifting me up when I need it but also holding me to a high standard. He helped me find my love for the game.”
Friendly and open, Leon has an energetic, buoyant personality. She loves striking up conversations and meeting people.
“You’ll probably find me laughing most of the time,” she said.
A year ago, St. Charles North ended Leon’s remarkable freshman season in the sectional semifinal. And that’s something she hasn’t forgotten.
”When I step on the soccer field, I almost have this alter ego where my competitive side comes out,” Leon said. “I’m always positive and vocal. I want to uplift my teammates and make them feel confident on the field.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.