CARMEL VALLEY — While she may not always be the fastest or most athletic player on the soccer field, the secrets behind Michelle Spacciapolli’s success are simple — she has an unparalleled work ethic and a knack for finding the back of the net.

All of her hard work over the years has paid off in a big way. On Jan. 6, the senior at Cathedral Catholic signed her letter of intent to join the women’s soccer team at Boston College.

Beginning next fall, she will be lace up her cleats against schools such as North Carolina, Florida State and Miami.

“I’m really excited,” Spacciapolli said. “It’s going to be challenging but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Cathedral Catholic girls soccer coach Dawn Lee described Spacciapolli as a very aggressive player on offense. As of Feb. 7, the 17-year-old forward has racked up 17 goals and 11 assists.

“She definitely has a nose for finding the back of the net,” Lee said. “She is very strong and has no problems turning and beating a defender to make something happen.”

After winning Western League Player of the Year last season, Spacciapolli has drawn more attention from opposing defenders. But Lee said she has battled through it and the Dons now have high hopes for a postseason run.

“She’s had a mark on her back from early on,” Lee said. “But she is very hardworking and persistent. That’s why she’s so successful.”

Spacciapolli’s mother, Patty, said that by age 4 her daughter was already kicking around a soccer ball.

“At first I wasn’t sure if she was really going to like the sport,” Patty Spacciapolli said. “I remember going to a secondhand store and buying some old used cleats for her. But soon I realized she had that intensity and focus.”

Spacciapolli has spent many years in youth soccer programs such as the San Diego Surf and Del Mar Sharks. She credits one of her early coaches, John Cossaboon, as being influential in her development as a player. Cossaboon is now the assistant women’s soccer coach at Gonzaga and has previously been on the coaching staffs of Southern Methodist University and USC.

“He would always have me move around the field and play different positions,” Spacciapolli said. “He taught me the entire game and provided me with different perspectives on it.”

Other big time soccer programs such as Stanford, USC and Pepperdine were in the recruiting shuffle, but after visiting Boston College last September, Spacciapolli knew her top choice.

“I liked the overall feel of the campus when I went there,” Spacciapolli said. “It wasn’t too big or too small and I wanted to try something new.”

Lee feels confident that Spacciapolli will be able to excel at the next level. “She should make an immediate impact at Boston College,” Lee said. “Maybe not in her first year, but Michelle is lethal on offense. She’s a versatile player and very coachable.”

And one of her biggest fans, of course, will always be her mother.

“I’ll be wearing a lot of Boston College gear, that’s for sure,” Patty Spacciapolli said.