The team worked on various mission projects through SCORE International Ministries, a faith-based organization that focuses on evangelism through sports ministry.
During the week-long trip, the players held soccer clinics at a school and park to teach new skills to locals while sharing the love of Christ, according to Kayleigh Patterson, junior public relations major.
“They play a different kind of soccer,” Patterson said. “They were more dribble- and skill-focused, so we tried to get them to do more passing and push them another way.”
Follow each game, a team member would share her testimony to the group of clinic participants. Dionna Linn, athletic training graduate assistant, served as translator to break down the language barrier.
Patterson said having a translator was helpful in relating to the other teams.
In addition to the soccer clinics, the team also served by delivering food bags to impoverished neighborhoods. With the guidance of a local pastor, the team interacted with children to share the gospel.
“We definitely got closer through this experience,” Patterson said. “It was a good way for us to interact with the freshman girls and get to know each other better.”
The trip also allowed for preseason bonding between players and coaches, which was an added bonus to serving Costa Rican communities, Patterson said.
Whether they were feeding the local community, sharing their passion for soccer or spreading the love of God, the team left an impact on Costa Rica.
“Our coach, Isaac Brooks, constantly encouraged us throughout this trip,” Patterson said. “He pushed us to use our talents to glorify God.”
