When Saleen Koszorus first kicked a soccer ball at three years old, it was simply a fun way to spend time outside. By the time she was six, after joining a competitive club team, she realized soccer had become much more than a childhood pastime. "I just had so much fun," the Bellevue High School junior said. "No matter what's going on with school or anything else, I can go play soccer and have fun with my teammates."

That joy has carried Saleen all the way to becoming the 2025–26 Washington Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the Year, making her the first Bellevue High School junior to earn the prestigious honor. Despite the recognition, Saleen admits the award came as a surprise. "I honestly didn't expect it," she said. "It was so cool to receive." The award adds to an already remarkable list of accomplishments. In recent weeks, she was also named an All-American and earned ECNL Northwest Player of the Year honors while continuing to represent the U.S. youth national team.

Yet behind the accolades is a player who says she simply loves every part of the game. "It's hard to pinpoint one thing," she said. "I just enjoy all of it." Whether she's scoring goals, traveling to compete internationally, or seeing hours of individual training pay off during a match, Saleen finds motivation in watching herself improve. Yet that work ethic didn't develop overnight. While her technical ability came naturally, the mental side of soccer required much more effort. "When I was younger, I'd get really in my head," Saleen said. "Learning to trust my preparation and be confident in my abilities was probably the hardest part."

Those lessons have helped prepare her for the next chapter. Already committed to Stanford University, Saleen was excited to experience college soccer's competitive environment while remaining close to home. "Stanford has always been my dream school," she said. "It's pretty surreal that it's actually happening."

Although club soccer has prepared her for elite competition, Saleen says high school soccer has given her something equally valuable. "It's just so much fun," she said. "Club is higher pressure, but high school lets you just enjoy the game." That atmosphere has created some of her favorite memories. Team dinners, dressing up together on game days, dancing in the locker room before matches, and representing Bellevue have made high school soccer a unique experience.

Her mother, Val, credits Bellevue head coach Peter for fostering that environment while also protecting players' long-term development. "He always reminded us that high school soccer is about so much more than soccer," she said. "It's about friendships, school pride, and memories they'll have forever."

Balancing athletics with academics has been another challenge. Between club soccer, Bellevue's season, and national team commitments, Saleen missed roughly 60 days of school last year while traveling internationally. "It's hard," she admitted. "You have to prioritize, make sacrifices, and stay organized." Communication with teachers, detailed schedules, and learning to advocate for herself have all become essential skills.

One of the biggest influences in managing those demands has been her faith. "It helps so much," she said. "Before games I pray, thank God for the opportunity to play, and remember that soccer isn't everything." That perspective became especially meaningful after a knee injury sidelined her for around seven months. "It made me realize soccer can't be my whole identity," Saleen said. "It could all be taken away. It really helped me focus on my family, my faith, and who I am outside of soccer."

Today, that balance is reflected in the time she spends hiking, attending youth group, and making the most of moments with family and friends whenever her busy schedule allows. Saleen is also quick to acknowledge that none of her success has come alone. "I couldn't have done it without my coaches, my trainers, my family, my teammates—everyone who has supported me," she said. "I've been so blessed with people who believed in me."

As she prepares for her senior season at Bellevue before eventually heading to Stanford, Saleen hopes younger athletes remember one simple message. "If you have a dream, go for it," she said. "All the hard work you put in will make a difference. There really is no limit to what you can achieve." For Saleen, the awards and championships are exciting milestones, but they're not the finish line. The joy that first inspired a three-year-old to chase a soccer ball is still what drives her today—and it's that love for the game that continues to open doors to even bigger dreams.