Riana's soccer team was doing really good. They finished in first place for their league and were placed in the brackets for the playoffs. Last year, they didn't win any games in the playoffs, so we were just hoping to do a little better than that.
In the first game of the playoffs, the girls did amazing and were tied at the end of the game. This meant that it went into a shootout. Shootouts are always very nerve-wracking, but also very exciting! Alyssa took the first PK and missed, however then Melli blocked the other team's shot. Autumn went next and made her shot! Next was Anna-Mien... another goal for us! Riana was up next. If she made it, we won! ...She shoots ...she scores!!!
Facebook Post Feb 4, 2014-- "Here is the video of Riana's PK from her quarterfinal game, in the State cup, last Saturday. It was tied 0-0 after 70 minutes of play and double overtime and went into a shootout. After 2 teammates made shots and their goalie made an incredible save, right before she shot, Riana overheard the refs saying, "If she makes this, they win the game." Well, she did and they play this Saturday at Starfire in the Semi-finals!!! Thank you SO much to Shawn and Tracy, for this video!!"
--47 likes-- 10 comments--
--Jennifer Smith-- Awesome video! My picture of this is so blurry because I was so excited! LOL
--Brady Adams-- Awesome. Great memories
--Ric Hillsberg-- I taught her everything I know!
--Angela Crowl-- Alexis is totally pumped for this Saturday !! Let's do this TC United !!:)
--Karla Monson Cheney-- Awesome! Thanks for sharing that.
--Patricia Dupuy-- Congrats. One you will remember forever
--Angela (me)-- Ric, You are hilarious!! LOL!!
--Tracy Grimes-- Perfect placement, the goalie did not even move. All the girls played amazing.
--Grant Drees-- Family and friends are invited to cheer them on: 2 pm kickoff at Starfire in Tukwila. Be prepared for cold weather!
--Elizabeth Chandler-- That's always intense when it's all on you. She handled it perfectly and so graceful. Good job Riana!
Top Row- Coach Grant, Coach Tracy, Bella, Alexis, Anna-Mien, McKenna, Jayden, Alyssa, Coach Jason, and Coach Aaron, Middle Row- Riana, Addi, Melli, Kathryn, Aubrey, Bottom Row- Autumn, Ciel, Olivia, and Peyton
They had the opportunity to play their Semi Final game in the stadium at Starfire, where the Sounders play. It was really cool! The girls were doing awesome and at halftime, the score was 0-0. About halfway through the second half, Olivia scored and ended up winning the game for TCUnited!! It was so exciting! They were going to advance to the Final game!!
Tia, Avery, and Nina watching and Callie, Brynn, and Rori watching. Callie and Rori were convinced that they caught a fairy! It was so cute!
There was only one problem with advancing to the Finals. The final game would be on Sunday. Riana was so sad. When the day came, she cried for like 3 hours. It was so heartbreaking to watch. I just wanted to make it better. I wanted to make sure I wasn't the reason she was staying home so I put it in her hands completely. I finally just said to her to just get ready and go. And she said, "No, I'm not going to do that! I decided a long time ago, I wasn't going to play on Sundays and I'm not going to start now."
My Facebook Post-- February 9, 2014-- "After lots and lots and lots of tears, my oldest, Riana, made the most difficult decision she has ever made (so far) in her life today. I am so thankful for her good example to me and just want to say that I feel so honored to be her Mom!!"
--53 likes-- 21 comments--
Cara Monroe-- *hugs. We love your family!
Kristina Glaser-- Awww..game? The decision that she made is because she has been guided by great parents!
Angela (me)-- Thank you, Cara!! We love you guys too!! :) Kristina, yes. The game is happening right now. We told her we would support her 100% no matter what she chose!! But the decision was all hers... I start crying every time I think about the sacrifice she made for her beliefs. She is the one that is guiding me. :) PS- Thank you for your sweet words!
Libby Boggs-- Did she chose to stay home today and not play in a game?
Angela (me)-- Yes
Libby Boggs-- Good for her! That had to be extremely difficult.
Angela (me)-- It was EXTREMELY difficult for her! Our thoughts and prayers are with her team! smile emoticon
Brenda Larson-- You guys have taught her well to listen to her heart and the spirit. What a special daughter u guys have...
Libby Boggs-- I've never met her, but I admire her for making that decision. You guys are doing a fabulous job :)
David Wolf-- Dave had the same problem in football. He had finally made a starting position and they made the championship game. Then it was announced it was on Sunday. He made the valiant decision not to play. It was hard, but a good thing.
Melinda Carruth-- so hard - what a valiant young woman!
Gene Drees-- Righteous pride! I join you.
Valeri Passey-- Since when are these athletic events for school on a Sunday :(
Cathy Sampert-- What a proud mama moment!
Angela (me)-- Update-- After 70 minutes of play, 20 minutes of overtime, and 5 PKs for each team, Riana's team (playing without 2 starters- Riana and Autumn Hakes) went into sudden death PKs... and lost... finishing 2nd place in the State. So proud of all of them!! :)
Jennifer L Smith-- We missed you guys and Autumn today. It was a tough loss and these girls are all amazing young ladies with such great hearts & souls! Not to offend, but I don't think God loves these girls who played any less. God loves all his children. :)
Sandra Schneider Hatch-- I agree that God loves all of his children. However, DanDyer shows the consequences of making decision that is hard to make but keeps the proper perspective of the 10 Commandment, and other covenants. I truly believe it has more to do with keeping integrity in our lives. If we covenant to do something, we do it, or we don't.. and then we know in our hearts that we have kept integrity in our lives. These decisions lay the groundwork for so many more decisions that will have more dire consequences if they are not made wisely. Parents have taught by word and worthy example. Bless you.. you truly are blessed by the lovely young ladies that you are raising.
Angela Kennington-- They're all good girls, whether they play on Sunday or not. Riana chose to walk the talk and honor the Sabbath. That shows integrity by doing what she believes in so strongly. There are adults who don't show an ounce if that kind of integrity. You must be a proud mama. What a hard decision, but she won't regret it later.
Julina Sousley-- Angela never said anything about God loving the girls that played less then the ones that didn't play. Angela is expressing a very proud moment of seeing her daughter stand up for her beliefs...period!
Angela (me)-- Thank you all for your sweet comments!! :) Jennifer L Smith, I totally agree with you! All of these girls are beautiful, talented, daughters of God and He loves all of the VERY, VERY much and all the same, whether they played or not. I don't think any less of the girls who played AT ALL!! It was a state championship game! I just watched Riana anguish SO much over this decision... it was not made lightly. I even told her to go and she said, "Mommy, I just don't feel good about it. I learned in Young Womens (Youth Group) to make decisions before the hard choices come and so you don't have to make the tough decisions in the moment. And I decided a long time ago that I was not going to play games on Sunday so I am not going to go." Then I had to watch her cry for a very long time. (This isn't the first medal ceremony and team picture she has missed.) It absolutely broke my heart and I knew how much she was sacrificing for her beliefs. It just makes me a proud Mama. That's all. Nothing against anyone else. Valeri Passey, it wasn't a school event. It was a select soccer team state final.
Valeri Passey-- Oh, that makes more sense. That is so hard on her for many different reasons. No one is loved any less but she was able to stay true to a personal commitment which is so courageous.
What an amazing decision she made that day! One of her best friends, Autumn, who is also on the team also made that decision. And they are two of the top PK shooters on the team. Unfortunately, her team lost in a shootout. (I like to think that God blessed them to get that far because of these girls' decisions not to play.) However, this decision was so much more important than even winning a State Championship. I think many of her friends and members of our ward will remember this for a long time and someday they will tell this story to their young women and their grandchildren and it will affect others for good!! Grant and I were so extremely proud of the decision Riana made! And I know Riana and Autumn will never regret it! They will always remember this courageous decision that they made!
Here is Grant presenting the medals to Riana and Autumn. You are amazing, girls!!
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