Winnipeg high school students are mourning the loss of a gifted soccer player.

Ian Holland, coach of the youth 17 team in Charleswood, told CTV the 17-year-old girl killed in a crash in Headingley Saturday morning is Julia Peters.

Holland has known Peters since she was 10 years old.

“I have pictures of her going back that far. It hasn’t been easy,” said Holland, who coached Peters.

“When Julia was around, she made people happy. A great teammate. A great kid,” Holland told CTV in a phone call Sunday.

He said students from Oak Park High School and her soccer team are reeling from the loss of the Grade12 student.

“That’s the tragedy. It’s her graduating year,” said Holland.

A close friend of the Peters who met with the family Sunday said they are devastated and overwhelmed.   

“They appreciate everything and how people are showing they care,” said the friend.

“The news is devastating as a mother. Kids aren’t invincible,” she said.

“(Julia) was always smiling, laughing … a typical teenager.”

Holland invited students, team players and parents to his home Saturday to remember the beloved defender. He said people in the community are taking the news “very hard”.

“It helped and allowed them to comfort each other and talk about good memories instead of being held-up in their rooms at home,” he said.

Saturday friends started a GoFundMe page for Peters’ family. 

Holland said he is focused on helping Peters’ teammates and classmates through this difficult time and told Peters’ team this season will be dedicated to her.

Holland said Peters was a very good soccer player, and was part of the team that won gold at the Manitoba Summer Games in 2012.

“Julia was a big part of that … She was one of my favourite players. She worked hard. She was a great defender.”

On Saturday, RCMP said a 17-year-old girl was the only person in the car when it veered off the road and into a ditch around 4:45 a.m.

Police said it appears the girl was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. They said alcohol is not believed to be a factor.

On Sunday evening, a large group of freinds and family gathered at the site of the crash off Highway 1 near Gaol Road where a vigil was held.