BILLINGS, Mont. – Abiye Jack knew Tenley Leffler was going to be up to the challenge of being a starting college goalkeeper as a true freshman.
 
Partly because it was nothing he hadn't already seen before.
 
Currently in his fifth season (fourth as head coach) with the Montana State Billings women's soccer program, Jack had been scouting Leffler ever since she donned the No. 1 jersey as a freshman at Skyview High School, just down the road from the MSUB campus. A former college keeper himself, Jack followed Leffler's prep career closely and knew that getting her to sign with her hometown college could be a program-changing move.
 
But Leffler's first year as a Yellowjacket has surpassed even the loftiest of expectations for a freshman shotstopper.
 
Not only has Leffler played every minute between the sticks this season for the Yellowjackets, she's thrived in putting up one of the best years for any MSUB goalkeeper ever, regardless of class.
 
"Tenley did a lot of things that goalkeepers weren't doing that cleanly at the high school level," Jack said. "You knew the foundation was there, it was just a matter of if the hard work was going to be there to maximize that talent.
 
"She's had an awesome freshman year, so she's built a great foundation for herself at this level. … She has all the tools to continue to build on what she's started."
 
What Leffler has started, exactly, is the potential for a record-smashing career at MSUB as one of the best goalkeepers not just in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, but also in all of NCAA Division II.
 
With two matches left to play in the Yellowjackets' season, Leffler ranks fifth on the single-season school leaderboard in saves with 100 and is on pace to pass Gretchen Kaus's tally of 107 saves (set in 2000) for second place all-time. Her current marks for saves, save percentage (.847) and goals allowed per game (1.13) are good for first, second and third in the GNAC, respectively, and she is the first MSUB keeper to have a save percentage over .800 (minimum 500 minutes) since 2006.
 
With three shutouts and three separate matches with double-digit saves, Leffler has excelled immediately in adapting to the competitiveness of college soccer, both against her own teammates in training and against some of the best squads in D-II. As of Tuesday, she ranks 15th and 35th nationally, respectively, in goals and save percentage, firmly placing her as one of the country's best freshman goalies.
 
"I came here knowing there were other goalies here. I knew I had to compete for my spot," Leffler said. "Coming in here knowing that there's other goalies just as good as you, you've just got to compete with that. And I feel like that just motivates me, honestly."
 
Goalkeepers play one of the loneliest positions in sports, where mistakes can — sometimes unfairly — be amplified and directly result in teams losing games. In Leffler's freshman campaign, that hasn't happened very often.
 
In non-exhibitions, Leffler has only conceded more than once three times, one of which came on the road at current No. 7-ranked Western Washington earlier this season. But when the GNAC-leading Vikings came to Billings for the rubber match Saturday while holding a nine-match winning streak, Leffler put on a show, outlasting 19 shots and eight corner kicks from the visitors before WWU finally broke through late in the second half for what would end up being the winning goal.
 
From the touchline, Jack sees the tendencies Leffler has that puts her a step above the average keeper, and it's made a major difference in giving the Yellowjackets a fighting chance at the end of many matches.
 
"She understands that moment of when the attacking player might be looking to go for goal," Jack said. "She understands the types of different shots that come in and has been able to put herself in the best position to make that save. She's put a lot of work into understanding our defensive shape, as well."
 
What's been the most fulfilling part of Leffler's season to date, however, is that she's been able to enjoy her first year of college soccer with plenty of support as a Billings native, with many family and friends cheering her on during home matches this fall. As one of four players from the Magic City on the Yellowjackets' roster, Leffler's choice to remain in town has worked wonders in building up her confidence and getting used to the speed of the college game.
 
And after making her mark during a stellar freshman season, those same supporters will probably be yelling her name at Yellowjacket Soccer Field for years to come.
 
"I'm beyond happy. I wouldn't want to change anything this season," Leffler said. "I feel like I've had a good season and staying home just helps. … That's also pushed me, just having that love here. Staying home has definitely really helped me."