LAKEWOOD, CO- "Soccer isn't just a passion, it's a platform to glorify God." - Capri Dewing.

The chance of family members playing a sport at the same university, let alone on the same team, is a rare occurrence. But at Colorado Christian University, this unique scenario comes to life. Capri Dewing, Allie Hotz, Jessie Sims, Claire Leight, and Bailey Hotz—all members of the women's soccer team—share that special bond as cousins. Growing up together in Colorado Springs, the cousins have been best friends since birth. Connected through all of their mothers being sisters, together they make up five of the thirty cousins in total. Growing up, sports have always been a big part of their lives; all five girls played soccer and basketball through high school and now have continued to pursue soccer at the collegiate level.
  Seniors Capri Dewing, Allie Hotz, and Jessie Sims, along with sophomore Bailey Hotz, and freshmen Claire Leight, bring both family ties and talent to Colorado Christian University's women's soccer team. Adding to the family legacy, former player Zoe Sims now serves as the team's assistant coach. Together, these cousins share a unique bond that strengthens their connection both on and off the field.

Playing with family brings unique energy to the field. Sophomore Bailey Hotz, in her first season alongside her cousins, shares, "This is my first year playing with my family, and it has been so fun. I think the best part is the camaraderie on the field and in practices and just being able to push each other in ways that are different than with other teammates." Jessi Sims, a senior, adds, "It definitely gives us a tendency to get on each other a little more than usual, which creates a funny dynamic within the team." Allie Hotz also mentions the unique connection, "There's that extra piece of chemistry because we're so close. It's so much fun—I sometimes feel like I can read their mind, which brings an extra fun aspect to the sport." On the field chemistry is a huge part of the game of soccer. Building that over the course of the season is always a main focus of any successful team. The deeper connection of family for these girls allows for natural chemistry that provides an advantage in the game of soccer. Capri Dewing speaks on why she started playing soccer and the impact it has had on her life, "I started playing when I was just 3 years old. My parents did not put me in soccer to win trophies and gain fame, they did it to teach me life lessons and learn to work with teammates and coaches and grow from the adversity that sports provide. I think getting the chance to not only play soccer and learn those life lessons but do it with my family as well has given me an amazing foundation for becoming a more well-rounded person with the help of family members growing alongside of me. Playing with them has pushed me to keep a high standard for myself."

The cousins are not only competitors and lovers of the game of soccer but also strive to do it for the glorification of God. Colorado Christian portrays that to its core and provides an incredibly unique opportunity to play from a Christian platform. Although each one of the girls' stories are different in how they got to CCU and chose to play soccer, all five of them have the same passion to play for an audience of one. Jessie Sims said on this topic, "The goal in playing college soccer is not just about having a winning season, making playoffs, or being recognized as an amazing player, it's about being given the ability to be a testimony of the goodness of God to the people watching and the teams we play."

The girls are high spirited and love to talk about their family and faith. Soccer is definitely an important aspect of their lives; however, doing it to praise and glorify God is their ultimate goal through the platform that soccer provides. The cousins mentioned their gratitude to God for giving them parents that have raised them to value Christ first and the desire to spread his word in everything they do. While soccer is amazing and something they all have a passion for, it will ultimately fade away like everything else in this world. The goal for these girls is to keep an eternal mindset and utilize the opportunities of sports to better present who God is and what he has done for them. The family spirit and humor these cousins bring to the field make the women's soccer team at CCU something truly special.
 
Get to Know the Girls
Who's the funniest? Jessie
Who's the smartest? Claire
Who's the meanest? Capri
Who's the most outgoing? Claire or Bailey
Who's the loudest? Capri, Bailey, and Claire, it runs in the family...
Who's the tallest? Jessie
Who's going to have the most kids? Allie or Claire
Who's the most patient? Allie
Who's the cleanest? Bailey
Who's siblings? Allie and Bailey
Who's the only one not from Colorado? Claire
Who's the most spontaneous? Allie
Who's the clumsiest? Claire
Who's the pickiest eater? Capri
Who's most likely to become president? Claire