|
West Chicago, IL -- Graduating senior Leah Fortune was chosen by PARADE Magazine as one of the top 12 forwards in high school girls soccer, and by ESPN as one of the best 15 players nationwide. This marks an impressive finish to an impressive high school soccer career for Leah.
Fortune, co-captain of Wheaton Academy's 2009 IHSA 2A state championship team and a member of the Brazilian Under-20 national team, scored 29 goals in the 2009 season and had 12 assists.
The Warriors' Head Coach Scott Marksberry is not surprised. “Leah truly enjoys the game of soccer. She loves to improve her own game, and she loves to see her teammates get better, as well. Her level of commitment to her teammates is a unique quality in a player of her caliber."
Leah comes from a strong soccer background. The Warriors' assistant coach is Hudson Fortune, her father. He was captain of the Indiana University soccer team, played professional soccer at Bradley University and now leads the Team Chicago Soccer program.
Leah's signature flip throw-in move--a front handspring from the sidelines known as the cambalhota--is rare in high school soccer because it requires great gymnastic ability and strength. Although her typical position at Wheaton Academy was forward, while on the Brazilian team, she was a "lateral" for the U-20 team--the Brazilians' equivalent of left midfielder.
The youngest player on the Brazilian U-20 team, thanks to her dual American-Brazilian citizenship, she has played some of the top players in the world. Next fall, she heads to the University of Texas where she will play for the Longhorns.
Besides PARADE's and ESPN's awards, Leah was named All State (Illinois). Her club team won the Illinois state championships and is headed to the national regional championships in South Dakota. She was named Captain of the Daily Herald All-Area Girls Soccer Team, named Captain of the Girls All-Area Sports Team, and was named Athlete of the Year for the Daily Herald over all sports. She was also named to the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times All-Area Soccer Teams.
The Lady Warriors won the 2009 IHSA Class 2A State Title on June 6. They beat the Lemont High School Indians 3-0 and finished the season at 22-3-2. This was the Warriors' second state title. In 2004, they captured their first title at the Class A level.
Wheaton Academy
Founded in 1853, Wheaton Academy is one of the nation’s oldest Christian high schools. A college preparatory school, it is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and recognized by the state of Illinois and the DuPage County Education Service Region. Wheaton Academy is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International.
www.wheatonacademy.org |
