Savannah Leifried made history by becoming the youngest player to sign with the Academica Women’s Soccer Club at the age of 14 in 2023.
The soon-to-be sophomore at Ceres High School completed her second season with the Turlock-based semi-professional team in June.
“I have really high expectations,” said Leifried, 15. “I’m grateful I got the opportunity to play again. I feel like I really did my best this year. I was slide tackling everybody that was coming my way.”
Leifried logged playing time at outside back and attacking midfielder as Academica compiled a 3-9-0 record while finishing in sixth place in the eight-team Western Conference NorCal Division of the USL W-League.
Academica collected wins against Pleasanton Rage (4-1), Marin FC Sirens (7-1) and San Francisco Olympic Club (5-3).
Leifried and Academica closed out the 2024 season with a 5-0 loss to the California Storm (Sacramento) at Academica Soccer Fields on on June 29 in Turlock.
Academica’s roster featured 39 players with Leifried being the youngest and 28-year-old Morgan Bertsch being the oldest.
“Just because I’m younger, it doesn’t mean anything,” she said. “I have just as much talent as the other girls. I’ve always played up. If I didn’t play up, I’ve always played with and against boys.”
Leifried made her debut with Academica in 2023.
She has started every game during her two-year stint with the club.
It didn’t take long for Leifried to earn the respect of her teammates.
“My skills really showed in the training environment. My age didn’t matter.”
Leifried welcomed the challenge of competing with and against college players.
“Year one, I was hesitant. Being the youngest, I wasn’t scared. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know who was out there. This year, I knew what to expect. I had way more confidence. I grew as a player.”
Leifried thrived after getting used to the pace and physicality of USL W-League play.
“It’s a faster pace and more physical. It took a little bit to adapt. The speed of the game helped me become faster.”
Academica forward Kassandra Ceja, who has played collegiately at Fresno State and Long Beach State, has been a good role model.
“I really learned a lot from her."
Leifried’s soccer journey began at the age of 3 when her grandfather Ed introduced her to the sport.
She played in the Ceres Youth Soccer Organization’s recreational league for two seasons prior to joining the competitive ranks at the age of 6.
Leifried has developed into one of the top club players in the state.
She currently plays for Bay Area Surf. She joined the club after the San Jose Earthquakes Girls Academy closed in 2020.
“I really enjoy competing. I love playing games. Training is fun, too.”
“I’m a lion on the field."
A 4.0 student, Leifried will become the first person from her family to attend a four-year university.
Her play at the club level will most likely lead to scholarship offers from NCAA Division-I women’s soccer programs.
College coaches will be able to contact her junior year.
Leifried talked about the possibility of playing for Stanford, USC, Santa Clara or North Carolina.
“Staying in California would be nice,” she said. “But being out of state would be really cool.”
Leifried would also like to follow in the footsteps of cousins Cade and Chance Cowell, who both play professional soccer.
Cade signed a pro contract with the San Jose Earthquakes at the age of 15 in January of 2019.
Liga MX club Chivas acquired Cade from the Quakes for a Major League Soccer club-record fee of $4-plus million in January.
Cade has earned eight caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, making his debut in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in December of 2021.
Chance inked a deal with the Earthquakes at the age of 14 in June of 2023.
He’s rostered several times with The Town FC, San Jose’s MLS Next Pro team, this season.
Chance was supposed to participate in the Under-16 U.S. Men’s Youth National Team training camp in Argentina in May but had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury sustained in Academy Playoffs in Tennessee.
He has also suited up for Mexico’s U-15 Men’s Youth National Team. He scored twice in a 4-2 win over Morocco during friendly play in May of 2022.
“They (Cade and Chance) said to train hard and be ready when my moment comes."
Leifried will continue to chase her dream of playing the sport at the highest levels.
“It’s what I was meant to do,” she said.
