CALGARY – Soccer is a team game, everyone knows that. Every member of the University of Calgary Dinos Women's Soccer team knows that. But when the 2021 season is remembered, it will be hard for the name Montana Leonard not to be the first thing anyone thinks about. 

The fifth-year forward had a season to remember and that's putting it lightly. Leonard set the Canada West record for goals in a season with 17, was named a Canada West first team all-star, won named Canada West Player of the Year, and on top of it all, became the first individual in program history to be named U SPORTS Player of the Year. 

All in a year's work for the senior out of Richmond, B.C. Her legendary season also helped her team to a 9-2-1 record and a second-place finish in the Central Division. 

Head Coach Troy Flannery admits he had a feeling that Leonard was destined for greatness the moment she arrived in Calgary. 

"I'm exceptionally proud of Montana, and this is so very much deserved," said Flannery after Leonard was named national player of the year. "From day one on campus, I had this feeling that her career could very possibly be unrivalled, and she leaves here having done just that. To come back out of a pandemic and score 17 goals in 12 games is truly special, but what is perhaps more special is her humility, perseverance and passion for this program." 

Leonard would trade all the individual success for a national championship, but unfortunately, that wasn't in the cards for the Dinos in 2021. 

After finishing the season 9-2-1, Calgary had a date with the Saskatchewan Huskies in the opening round of the Canada West Playoffs. The Calgary squad defeated the Huskies 2-1 at Dinosaur Field in a preseason matchup. 

Regular time settled nothing between the two evenly matched squads, and penalty kicks were needed, where the Huskies would hang on for a 3-2 win, ending Calgary's 2021 campaign. 

"You cannot fault the effort, you cannot fault the performance," Flannery explained after the loss. "Exceptionally proud of the women in the room. We have a bunch of fifth- and sixth-years. That's why I do what I do. They will win at life, but not necessarily tonight, I am proud of them."

And while Leonard did attract most of the headlines, she would be the first to admit she couldn't have done it without her exceptional teammates around her. 

Defender Damian Van Wieren joined Leonard on the Canada West first team, while forward Kelsie MacDonald, defender Amy Mikuska and goalkeeper Lauren Houghton were all named to the second team. 

First-year midfielder Jayden Berg had a breakout rookie season with the Dinos and was named to both the Canada West all-rookie team, as well as the U SPORTS all-rookie team. She finished tied for fourth on the team in scoring, with one goal and four assists. 

Berg and the other returning Dinos will have big shoes to fill in 2022 as Leonard and the other seniors take their leave. But rest assured, 2021 was a season for the history books when it comes to the Dinos women's soccer program.