— This story is written by ​Isabella Diaz, this year’s SPORTSDOG Storytellers Contest Winner. Isabella is a rising senior from Kenosha, Wisconsin. She has been a part of the girls’ soccer team at her high school for the last two years and she is working toward a degree in Nuclear Medicine. —

The final whistle pierced the air, triggering a split-second of stillness followed by an explosion of cheers from the opposing crowd. I stood frozen, sweat mixing with the tears that had been welling in my eyes for the past five minutes. Not because we lost state, but because this moment marked the end of something far greater. Ten of my teammates, my closest friends, would hang up their high school jerseys for the last time. For months, we were inseparable. We endured grueling practices, intense matches, and countless hours filled with laughter and inside jokes during team bonding activities. That team had become my anchor. Soccer, I realized then, isn’t just about competition. It’s about connection. It’s about team.

I first laced up my cleats at age four, chasing after a neon pink ball and the footsteps of my older siblings. At first, soccer was just a fun way to burn energy. But over time, it evolved into something I relied on: an outlet, a motivator, and a constant in my life. Even as a child, I was unknowingly forming bonds that would shape me for years. Some of those early teammates are still by my side today, pushing me to grow, not just as a player, but as a person.

Soccer has taken me beyond the field and across borders. On a missionary trip to Mexico, I joined a program called Soccer and Salvation. There, we used the sport as a tool to connect with children and families, many of whom had never had proper equipment or formal training. We played on rugged dirt fields with torn shoes, laughing and competing for hours on end. Through soccer, we built trust, shared meals, and exchanged stories. More than just goals or drills, what we offered was hope. That experience showed me how to be a difference maker and how sports can serve as a bridge between cultures and hearts.

Later, through my work with the Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, I met young players whose passion reminded me of why I started. Despite different upbringings, the game united us. Their dedication inspired me to match their energy, not just on the field, but in the classroom. Their ambition motivated me to stay disciplined, to prioritize my academics after late practices, and to be someone others could lean on. Being around them made me eager to learn, grow, and lead by example.

Soccer has given me more than memories. It’s taught me the value of a team that feels like family, the power of using my passion to connect with and serve others, and the importance of always striving to grow. Whether I’m celebrating a win or picking myself up after a loss, those lessons are what I’ll carry with me for life.