For Elliana Ditmore, soccer is more than a game. It is an opportunity to pursue the ambitions she has carried for years while honoring the faith that guides her along the way.
A Class of 2029 student-athlete at Destiny Christian Academy, Ditmore plays winger and forward for Sacramento United, where her speed and technical ability are among the defining strengths of her game.
Her connection to the sport began long before high school. Ditmore has played soccer since she was 4 years old, developing from a young player learning the game into an athlete with aspirations of competing at the NCAA Division I level.
Her journey, however, has required patience.
Before being sidelined for six months with an injury, Ditmore was coming off an impressive individual season that included strong performances at major tournaments. After months away from competition, she has recently returned to the field and is working to rediscover the form and momentum she carried before the injury.
With only two games under her belt since returning, Ditmore isn’t concerned about having statistics to showcase just yet. Her attention is instead on working, improving and preparing herself for the season ahead.
Throughout both the successes and setbacks, one thing has remained constant: her faith.
Ditmore writes 1 Corinthians 10:31 on her wrist as a reminder of the purpose behind everything she does. The verse calls believers to do everything for the glory of God a message Ditmore carries with her every time she steps onto the field.
Her ultimate athletic goal is to play Division I soccer, but Ditmore’s ambitions extend beyond reaching a particular level of competition. Above all, she wants her soccer journey to reflect her faith and glorify the God she credits with giving her the opportunity to play the sport she loves.
After six months away, Ditmore is once again doing what she has loved since childhood: competing.
There is still plenty of her story left to be written. With her return underway and another season ahead, Ditmore is focused on continuing to develop, pursuing her Division I aspirations and making sure her purpose remains bigger than the game itself.
