Agape Freedom Sports LLC

Written By: Jeric Yurkanin

(Email): AgapeFreedomsports@Yahoo.com

The night before every game, Naomi Rude’s room looks like a locker room ready for battle.

Her jersey? Folded neatly.

Cleats? Aligned just right.

Socks, shin guards, and water bottle—everything in perfect order.

Perhaps It’s her pregame ritual. Her quiet focus.

Across the hall, Perhaps her younger sister Natalie is a whole different scene—running around, hair half-braided, music playing, frantically searching for that one missing sock she swore was right there a minute ago. I imagine something like that…

“I think my sister takes longer to get ready because I’m a prepared person and get all of my stuff out the night before a game,” Naomi laughed. “As for Nat, she’s the on-the-go type, which shows she’ll always take longer compared to me.”

Two sisters. Two habits. One heartbeat for the same game.

But Naomi doesn’t just laugh at her sister’s last-minute chaos—she admires her deeply.

“What I admire most about how Natalie plays,” Naomi said, “is the amount of dedication she puts into not only herself but her teammates as well. She plays with heart and hunger all in one. She strives for wins—especially as a team. Natalie is one of the most unselfish people I’ve ever met, and she’s a key player on our team. As a freshman, she’s upheld amazing qualities and met high expectations at forward this season. I’m nonetheless proud of every step and bump in the road she’s overcome, and I can’t wait to watch her grow over the next couple of years.”

She continued, “To me it meant the world to share the field with my sister and spend my last year playing high school sports with her.” 

Faith Before the First Whistle:

For Naomi, soccer isn’t just a sport—it’s sacred space.

While teammates stretch and joke through warmups, she walks quietly toward the sideline. Then, with the toe of her cleat, she draws a small cross into the dirt. Quick. Subtle. Barely noticeable.

Only one person ever sees it—Natalie.

“Before each game, Naomi draws a cross on the field with her shoe, and I don’t think anyone else sees her do it,” Natalie said.

It’s not superstition. It’s not for show. It’s a quiet moment between her and God—a reminder of who gave her this gift and who she plays for.

That cross grounds her. It gives her calm when nerves hit and focus when the whistle blows. Every sprint, every kick, every goal begins there—with a simple mark in the soil and a silent prayer.

Naomi and Natalie aren’t just teammates—they’re mirrors.

Naomi, the older one, carries herself like an anchor—steady, patient, calm under pressure.

Natalie? She’s the spark plug—energy in motion, fearless and fast.

“Having Naomi guide me throughout my first year as a varsity athlete is honestly a blessing,” Natalie said. “She’s helped me achieve and overcome so much—encouraging me on and off the field, helping me grow not just as a player, but as a person.”

This season, their connection for the Lady Chiefs was undeniable.

Naomi orchestrated plays through the midfield, reading the game with poise. Natalie raced down the wing with pure energy, feeding off her sister’s leadership. Every pass, every celebration felt like an unspoken language—a rhythm only siblings share.

“My favorite moment this season,” Naomi said, smiling, “was when Natalie scored her first goal and ran straight to me for a hug. I felt like the best big sister in the world.”

That moment told the story better than words ever could—a mix of pride, joy, and sisterhood under the same set of lights.

Where It All Began:

Their story doesn’t start under stadium lights. It began years ago, perhaps barefoot in the backyard, chasing a soccer ball until the porch light flicked on and perhaps their mom called them in for dinner.

“Whatever sports season it was, my sister and I always practiced together,” Naomi said.

Those summer nights became their first training ground—filled with scraped knees, laughter, and competitive spirit.

If one slacked off, the other called it out.

If one got discouraged, the other picked her up.

That backyard bond became the foundation for who they are today—faith, family, and fight.

Natalie’s Rise:

As a freshman starter for Lakeland’s 8–10 Lady Chiefs, Natalie earned every minute she played.

“My job was to work hard, learn from the older players, and contribute however I could,” she said. “I usually play forward or wing. My style? Aggressive and determined.”

And it showed.

She finished her first varsity season with 21 goals and 11 assists—numbers that speak for themselves. But those stats only scratch the surface. Her effort, energy, and competitive fire gave the Lady Chiefs life when games got tough.

“Me and Naomi push each other in drills, in games, everything,” Natalie said. “We compete hard, but we also encourage each other and hold each other accountable.”

Even when Naomi graduates, Natalie knows her sister won’t be far—she’ll be there training beside her, pushing her to reach that next level.

The Legacy of #5:

Naomi didn’t have a big sister to guide her, but she had someone who filled that role perfectly.

“Ava Piraino was my biggest influence,” Naomi said. “She was a senior when I was a freshman. She taught me how to become the best version of myself—on and off the field.”

Ava passed down her #5 jersey, a gesture that carried deep meaning.

“She showed me how to lead, how to take younger players under my wing. When my time comes, I plan to pass that jersey on too.”

That number isn’t just a uniform—it’s a legacy of mentorship, leadership, and love. A reminder that great players don’t just make plays—they make others better.

The Competitor Within:

Ask Naomi who’s more competitive, and she doesn’t hesitate.

“Oh, Natalie—by far,” she laughs. “She hates losing. Whether it’s a match, a sprint, or a board game, she’ll find a way to win.”

Natalie’s drive burns bright. She thrives under pressure, turning frustration into fuel.

“She’ll go out of her way to make something happen,” Naomi said. “That’s just who she is—she’ll always find a way.”

But off the field, the two are inseparable. Shopping trips, coffee runs, random Target adventures—they’re more like best friends than sisters.

“If Natalie had to pick a last meal,” Naomi joked, “it’d be Starbucks. No hesitation.”

Their competitiveness might clash sometimes, but underneath it is a love that runs deep—an unspoken understanding that no matter what happens, they’ll always have each other’s back.

The Story Beyond the Scoreboard:

The Rude sisters’ story isn’t just about goals and stats—it’s about grace, friendship, grit, growth and family.

It’s about faith lived out loud and quiet moments that matter more than trophies.

They remind us that sports aren’t just about competition—they’re about connection.

Next season, the Lady Chiefs will take the field without Naomi’s leadership — but her mark will remain: in the culture she helped build, in the confidence she inspired, and in the quiet cross she drew before every game.

Natalie will carry that same faith forward—running, scoring, and smiling just like her sister once did.

And maybe one day, years from now, a little girl—Naomi or Natalie’s daughter—will lace up her cleats for the Lady Chiefs, whisper a prayer or draw a cross in the dirt, and carry on the tradition that began with her mom or her aunt. And wearing a #5 Jersey.

Because some legacies aren’t written in stats. They’re written in dirt—with the toe of a cleat and the shape of a cross. Faith and Sports.