What stands out in coach Christin Pappas’ assessment is the breadth of Tejada’s influence. The report says Pappas viewed her as the player who raised the level of those around her, not simply the finisher at the end of attacks.
Her vision, work rate and close control reportedly made her La Salle-Peru’s main attacking outlet. Just as important was the energy she brought when the team needed direction. That combination helped turn individual quality into a collective response.
Tejada’s season apparently began at full speed. She scored twice in the opener against Mendota and later produced a five-goal display against Streator, underlining the threat that would define her campaign.
The turnaround was not limited to match days. The report says Tejada organised an indoor team in DeKalb during the winter, giving her team-mates more opportunities to play together and build understanding.
That initiative matters because revival seasons are rarely created by one player alone. Tejada may have supplied the goals, but the extra work reportedly helped strengthen the group’s connections and belief.
Her own route into organised football has also been unusual. She began playing informally with cousins before joining a team in sixth grade, later working with Astra Soccer Academy in Mendota to accelerate her development.
College football should provide a fresh challenge. Tejada will need to adjust to a quicker tempo, stronger defensive pressure and competition for places, but her reported blend of pace, technique and leadership gives her a strong platform.
The next storyline will be whether she can carry the confidence of La Salle-Peru’s revival into Aurora and establish herself in a new environment.