In Madison Del Prado’s first year of high school soccer, she took a shot at her competition and found nothing but net.

In her first ever high school game against eventual Mission Valley Athletic League champion James Logan, the 5-foot-11 freshman came on the field to look and play like a seasoned veteran. Del Prado had a three-goal performance to help Liberty pull through with a 3-2 victory, after the Lions trailed 2-0 heading into the second half. There was just a feeling Del Prado was going to be a special player, a feeling which was later re-affirmed when she was named Offensive Player of the Year for the Bay Valley Athletic League.

“It’s amazing and unbelievable. I just worked so hard for it and it’s good to see my hard work pay off,” said Del Prado.

But it’s crazy to think, her season could have been even better than it already was.

Del Prado was sidelined through the first half of the season with a knee injury, causing her to miss key tournaments like the Madera Showcase and the National Prep Elite Showcase in Texas.

“It was frustrating. I just wanted to play but I knew I had to get better first. I needed to get healthy,” Del Prado said.

But once BVAL play came along, just like tracks out of a Drake playlist, she went zero to 100 real quick — and made headlines.

Del Prado scored in her first game back against cross-town rival Heritage. She capped off her season with 15 goals, finding the back of the net against every single BVAL opponent.

In the playoffs, she delivered big-time and was a hero to her community. Her right foot shot in golden goal overtime against Berkeley in the second round of the playoffs, and against Oregon commit keeper Leah Freeman no less, sent the stadium into a frenzy — and lifted Liberty into the semifinals.

In a Lions’ program that has produced so much talent, Del Prado is in line to be one of the best athletes to suit up for Liberty.

It’s safe to say Del Prado has already made a big impact, and the sky seems to be the limit with three more years remaining.

For her efforts throughout the season, we are pleased to recognize Madison Del Prado as the Prep2Prep North Coast Section Freshman of the Year.

Other players considered for this award include James Logan’s Yvette Moreno, Carondelet’s Annaliese Giusto, Arroyo’s Vickie Jones and Justin-Siena’s Tessa Salvestrin.

NOTE: We would like to thank our media partners, coaches, parents, players and fans for contributing photos for our all-section features. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of NCS soccer.