To say it has been a whirlwind six months for Mosman High School student and A-League Women (ALW) grand final winner Blake Hughes, is putting it mildly.

Late last year she was still enjoying soccer with her mates and playing at school and state representative level in the sport.

A timely video highlights package sent to ALW club Central Coast Mariners changed all that.

The defender impressed playing for North Sydney and the NSW Combined High Schools team, catching the eye of Mariners coach Emily Husband.

After viewing a few of her games first-hand, Blake was signed up for the Mariners with the expectation she’d ease into the ALW competition.

But with a few injuries and strong form, the Year 12 student found herself thrust into the top team and played a handful of games before getting the call-up for the semi-finals and grand final squad.

Rank outsiders in the deciding match after finishing fourth in the regular season, the Mariners were clinging to a 1-0 lead against the red-hot favourites Melbourne Victory when Blake took to the field in the 72nd minute.

“It was quite nerve-wracking, but I also knew that for my coach to put me in at that time of the game, that she must trust me to perform, so I just kind of tried to let all the nerves fall away and just live in the moment,” she said.

While an 80th minute goal levelled the scores, Blake defended strongly for the next 40 minutes as the match remained locked up after extra time before the Mariners won the grand final in a penalty shoot-out.

It was a surreal moment for the teen but one she took in her stride.

She has proven quite adaptable over the years, having come to Australia with her family from Colorado when she in Year 8. Since then, the big constant has been Mosman High School.

While many gifted sportspeople link up with one of the department’s sports high schools, Blake has been more than happy to spend her time at Mosman High and has shown that talent will be spotted in the system regardless of which school a student attends.

“There's all different pathways so I think if you look for it you can find one, no matter if you're at sports school or not,” she said.

Blake says there has been tremendous support from her teachers and mother Shawn who gives her the support she needs to juggle schoolwork with travelling back and forth from the Central Coast multiple times a week.

“It was all about finding the balance, and that balance probably wouldn't have been as easy without the support of my teachers, but they're all quite amazing,” she said.

Mosman High School Principal Susan Wyatt described Blake as an outstanding athlete but one who also academically achieved to a high level.

“Blake is a fine young woman who is always positive, friendly and well-regarded within the school community,” she said.

“She is an asset to her school and to public education.”

After the HSC, the door is open for Blake to play football and study back in the United States or continue along the professional route in Australia. The family is still considering options for citizenship and potentially one day being available to play in the green and gold.