A talented Border soccer player has won the league's best and fairest award in her first season at NPL level.
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Albury's Ashleigh Carty took out the 2019 NPL Women's under-13 Player of the Year in the Capital Football competition with Wagga City Wanderers.
What makes the feat even more impressive is the fact the 12-year-old only played seven games during the season.
The pacy winger knocked in eight goals during the league campaign, with the award capping off a phenomenal season.
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Carty represented NSW Country for the first time at the under-14 National Youth Championships at Coffs Harbour in August, where she scored five goals.
She also played a key role in Albury High School's open and under-15s teams.
The open side made it to the semi-finals of the Puma Trophy, while the 15s bowed out in the quarter-finals of the Bill Turner Trophy.
Carty believes she took her game to another level in 2019.
"It's better competition (at Wagga City) and a higher level than around here," she said.
"It's up there (winning the award), but nationals was the highlight."
Carty came into the Wagga City setup around a month into the competition due to athletics commitments early in the season.
The young sprinter believes the two sports complement each other well.
"I play on the wing so I can use my speed," she said.
Carty's mother, Nicole, said Ashleigh is extremely motivated when it comes to sport.
"She's had weekly training in Wagga and plays games in either Wagga or Canberra," Nicole said.
"It's going to come to that stage where she'll have to decide (between soccer and athletics) because the seasons seem to overlap.
"It used to be clear-cut between summer and winter sport, but now they're starting trials for soccer next month."
Carty is yet to decide whether she will compete for a spot at Wagga City Wanderers next season.
The region is experiencing plenty of success in female soccer of late, highlighted by AWFA export Chelsea Blissett making her debut for the Young Matildas.