Good Sports: Goalie finds home at Fresno Pacific after Sonoma State cuts program

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Ayana Krisimasi woke up on a normal morning to an email that was far from normal.

"Everyone received an email that we were going into a deficit and that they're cutting the athletic program," she said.

In January, Sonoma State University announced it was cutting all 11 athletic programs via a campus-wide email.

The announcement left hundreds of collegiate athletes without a place to play.

"My coach immediately told us to go into the transfer portal and start talking to coaches," Krisimasi said.

On the hunt for a new team, Ayana and her teammate, Takoah Castillo, sent an email to Fresno Pacific and were invited to train with the Sunbirds.

"We saw the impact that they both made on and off the field, so we gave them an offer and are really happy they chose to come here," says coach Roberto Hernandez.

Ayana and Takoah quickly acclimated, and Ayana has emerged as the Sunbird's starting keeper.

"Seeing her (Ayana) grow from Sonoma to here, she's a great goalkeeper," Castillo said.

After just a few months in the program, Ayana received another out-of-the-ordinary email -- this one with good news.

It was an email from an American Samoa national team scout, and an invitation to try out for the team to play in World Cup qualifying games in November.

"It's always an honor to represent your country," Krisimasi said. "I think it's fun. I love playing with new people. I'm really glad that I got to share that experience with the girls that I did."

Ayana went down to LA for the tryout. She will know in just over a week if she makes the team.

"Whether I make it or not, I still got the chance to have that experience, and I'm super grateful for that," she said.