DAVIS, Calif. — For any athlete, it would probably be considered the highlight or pinnacle of their career to represent their home country in international competition. And for Sierra Ruehl, she reached that pinnacle at just 16 years old.
"I'm a little bit nervous, obviously playing against older people," said Ruehl. "But really, I'm just excited for the experience."
The Folsom native will be playing for the Guam national team at the upcoming East Asian Football Federation tournament.
"I'm so thrilled. You should have seen me when I found out. I screamed in the car. My mom almost crashed," said Ruehl.
Sierra currently plays with Davis legacy, and soccer has been a part of her life ever since she was a little girl.
"My love grew through watching it. My dad's a major Newcastle fan," said Reuhl. "I always loved watching it, and it really made me want to play."
Sierra turned the love of watching soccer into a passion that she devotes most of her time to.
"I've been training and picking up the intensity more, but the main thing is I don't want to have an injury because I've been doing so much," said Ruehl.
Sierra's head coach, Janae Gonzalez, always knew Sierra would be successful because of her work ethic.
"It's no coincidence that a player like Sierra is getting these great opportunities, because there's not a practice, a game, a time of the field with the team where she is not 100% committed both emotionally, physically and being a better player," said Gonzalez. "I'm the lucky one to be able to coach someone like Sierra."
More than anything, Sierra would like to inspire the next generation on young soccer players.
"Just keep up your confidence and push yourself to things you normally wouldn't think you can achieve," said Ruehl. "You can really do a lot more if you reach out there and really go the extra step."
Sierra takes off Friday to head to Guam where she will train for a week, then she will be off to China, where the tournament takes place.
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