Hawks Star Shows Skill, Will In Comeback Soccer Season

By Arion Armeniakos

Special to Las Positas Athletics

If you had asked LPC's Leila Anzo three years ago where she thought she would be in 2019, chances are that leading the Hawks, who are undefeated in conference play, into the postseason was not going to be the answer. Yet here she is, doing just that.

Anzo, who describes herself as an extremely competitive and athletic person, thought her cleats were hung up for good after she tore her Anterior Cruciate Ligament during her junior year of soccer at Tracy High.

An ACL tear is a common injury in sports. Fully recovering from it and regaining full confidence in your physical capabilities is no easy feat. That was also the case for Anzo. Having played soccer since the age of 4, she suddenly lost the desire to step back onto the field.

"After getting injured, the offers that I had to play at the college level disappeared," Anzo said. "You know, who wants to take in an injured athlete? I understood that, but my spirits and confidence levels just went down. It was mentally challenging, and I didn't really want to play anymore."

After the injury, Anzo had her eyes set on joining the U.S. Military, but that plan didn't work out because of the injury either. Suddenly, the Tracy native found herself taking a gap year from school — trying to figure things out. Little did she know, a phone call from new Hawks women's head coach Andrew Cumbo was about to reignite her fire for soccer.

"When I think of it now, it's kind of a funny story how I ended up at LPC," Anzo said. "After I wasn't able to go to the military, one of my best friends (Hawks defender Ally Vierra) called me and told me that Coach Cumbo was looking for players. So, I ended up going to LPC for spring camp.

"When I got back to playing, I fell in love with the sport all over again. The team was very welcoming when I first came in, they took me in with open arms and I am so happy that I decided to play again."

Anzo has started every game for the Hawks this season, and she has been one of the catalysts to their undefeated run (7-0-1) in the Coast-North conference so far, contributing with seven goals and five assists in seven games. She had a hat trick in a big 3-0 win over Evergreen Valley.

Cumbo, who added the Hawks women's coaching job this season after coaching only the LPC men previously, is thrilled to see such great production from his converted midfielder, a former defender. The freshman has hit the ground running, showing no signs of post-injury rust.

"She is playing great and still really building momentum in the final phase of the regular season," Cumbo said. "Based on her performances, we have asked her to increase her roles and responsibilities on the field. She's a really talented player and a fierce competitor."

Recruited as a presence on the back line, Cumbo instead opted to play the dynamic Anzo in a more attacking role. Looking at Anzo's statistics and the team's production overall, this experiment must be considered a big success. The Hawks have scored 21 goals while conceding only two in conference play so far. They have also managed to keep six clean sheets in their last six games.

Cumbo explained that Anzo's energy, which allows her to contribute on both ends of the field, and technique on the ball are the reasons behind pushing the Tracy native further forward.

"Leila is a critical player to our defensive makeup and our recent success in keeping teams out of our goal," Cumbo said of his team's defensive solidity. "She breaks up a lot of plays in the midfield, which has taken a lot of pressure off our backline. And in addition to that, she helps us a great deal on offense."

Despite playing as a forward in her early youth, Anzo also established herself as a center back. She cites "adaptability" as one of her best assets on the field, and she has relished the opportunity to adopt a more advanced role for the Hawks.

"Wherever you put me on the field, I'm going to give you 110%," Anzo said. "My main position was center back, but when Cumbo played me as an attacking midfielder, I loved the position. It enables me to attack and defend, so it feels like the perfect position for me."

Indeed, Anzo has been coming up big all over the field. Out of the eight conference games, Anzo has either scored or assisted in every contest but one -- 0-0 draw against San Francisco -- while also making key tackles and connecting the play for the Hawks deeper in midfield.

"It's been pretty good for me," Anzo said. "I'm happy to be able to play and help my teammates get opportunities."

Individual accomplishments aside, Anzo carries a selfless demeanor on and off the field. The mindset depicts a hunger to win and reflects a confidence in herself and the team.

"I feel so proud to be part of a team like this," Anzo said. "I just want to see my team succeed and to be able to make my teammates better. Obviously, we have to go one game at a time, but in the back of my mind, I know that we can win state.

"The goal for me has always been to win state. I am a very competitive player. I always want the best of the best for myself and the rest of the team. Our preseason was set up with very hard competition, which I think prepared us very well for conference, and it is showing now. Knowing how all the girls play, I have all the confidence in them for us to go all the way," she continued

With her injury in mind, Anzo — a kinesiology major — wants to give back and help athletes who go through similar bumps in the road by becoming an athletic trainer, a decision inspired by her own trainer who helped her get through some of her toughest adversities.

"At first, I wanted to be a nurse, but after having to go through physical therapy, I started thinking towards that route," Anzo said. "My physical therapist was great. I loved him. He helped me recover and keep my head on straight. And now, I want to help players that get injured, just like I did.

"I want to let them know that there are still things that they can do (during the recovery process). It's just a little bump in the road. A minor setback for a major comeback is what I always think about now. So, I definitely think that, but I also want to coach soccer, at whatever level, when I'm older."

Cumbo hasn't shied away from praising Anzo's character.

"This team is full of leaders, and she is one of them. She's amazing," Cumbo said. "She'll do anything for the team, and she's got quality to her game. She's a leader by the way she carries herself in training and games, but she also helps make our environment fun.

"Her work rate is also unbelievable. On top of being a full-time student, she works every day except on game day. She's got her stuff together on and off the field. From what I've seen, she would be a great coach and teacher," he continued.

Anzo's future college plans are sitting somewhere on the backseat for now, with her focus set on helping the Hawks reach their goals. But she knows one thing for sure — soccer will always be a part of her life in come capacity.

"I know that I will always be involved with soccer," Anzo said. "I will be looking to play out my extra two years at whatever school wants me to play for them. But now, I think our main focus is on the playoffs, and hopefully getting to state. One game at a time."