Folsom soccer player playing for Guam's national team

Folsom's Sierra Ruehl is currently on a trip of a lifetime. Ruehl, 16, is in Guam until Friday, practicing with the Guam National Soccer Team before leaving for China for the East Asian Football Federation tournament, which will include teams from Hong Kong, Mongolian, Chinese Taipei, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, DPR Korea, and Macau. Ruehl's mom was born and raised in Guam, so that's why she is eligible to play for their team. She had been watching Guam's under-20 team play and reached out to Guam saying she was interested in playing for the team. "They sent me to an I.D. camp in Chula Vista in January," Ruehl said. "In April, I played with the U-17 team in games in Guam against the Philippines and Lebanon. About a month later, I got called out for a tournament and about a month after that I got selected for the national team." To say that Ruehl is excited for this trip and tournament is an understatement. "I'm so excited, but I'm also a little nervous. I'm excited to represent my island, but I'm also nervous playing in a tournament so big." Twenty players made the roster for the Guam team. If Guam wins the tournament, they will advance to another tournament with teams from South Korea, Japan and China playing in it. "Soccer is growing in Guam for sure," Ruehl said. "I haven't trained with the National team yet so I can't really say where we stand, but I am confident in our team's ability." Ruehl currently plays for the club team Davis Legacy, where she is a goalie. She said she enjoys the club, calling it a great program. How did she become a goalie? "Growing up I naturally went to it," Ruehl said. "My older sister played forward and outside mid and she always wanted to shoot on me, which wasn't very fair, she said with a laugh. I like how the goalie position is so different than the other positions. It has its own little focuses. It's a super fun position to play." Ruehl's coach at Davis Legacy is Vista del Lago graduate Janae Gonzalez. "I met Sierra this year during tryouts," Gonzalez said. "She immediately stood out during the goalkeeping warm-up with her reaction time and ball handling. I could also see she was focused and determined. "I was excited when she accepted the offer to start a new journey at our club. Sierra makes big saves in big moments, whether it's a triple save in a moment we can't clear the ball out, or stopping a forward from dribbling or flying to punch the ball out. She makes big saves because she stays ready and engaged. On the ball, she effectively reads pressure and distributes the ball with confidence. "She is a baller; but most importantly she is a great teammate and human, extremely supportive and positive to her teammates. She is also very coachable and effectively uses feedback. It is no coincidence that she earned this huge opportunity. A player like Sierra will always stand out through their work ethic, personality and drive to achieve her dreams. This is a huge accomplishment and she's worked hard to earn a place. I'm lucky to coach her and to know her." The dates of the East Asian Football Tournament are Nov. 30 to Dec. 7.