Ariela Lewis
Five years after college, Ariela Lewis’ soccer career is still alive and kicking. Never mind adult league, this 27-year-old is getting paid to play the game she loves.
Not even COVID could slow her down. After the pandemic wiped away the last two seasons, Lewis stuck with it and signed with a new team in a new country, going from Sweden to Iceland.
“It’s a fairytale,” she said. “I wake up ecstatic, knowing that I’m fulfilling my young self’s dream.”
Soccer isn’t just a job, it’s her way of life. It’s been that way for two decades strong, and she’s hopeful she can go another decade.
“I’ll play as long as I can,” said the 2013 Dimond High graduate. “If it’s another 10 years that’ll be amazing. I’m aiming for that.”
Lewis has managed to stay on the field because of her awesome ability to put the ball into the back of the net. She scored 12 goals this season for Reykjavik-based Grotta Knattspyrna, which won the country’s Division II final 5-1 over KH to earn a promotion to Iceland’s top division, aka, the Long League.
💙👏🏽💥 LENGJUDEILDIN 2023 💥👏🏽💙
Grótta fór með öruggan sigur á KH í úrslitakeppni 2. deildar í dag en leikurinn fór 5-1 fyrir Gróttu.
Með sigrinum tryggði Grótta sér sæti í Lengjudeildinni að ári 💥!!! pic.twitter.com/vOsTivKxh7— Grótta knattspyrna (@Grottasport) September 18, 2022
Lewis is believed to be one of only three Alaskans currently playing professional soccer, joining Anchorage’s Obed Vargas and Hunter Sulte, who are both under contract with MLS teams.
“I know a lot of young, talented players are on their collegiate path right now,” Lewis said. “I hope more players will pursue the opportunity to push past college and utilize their talent on a bigger stage.”
The pro game is not for the faint of heart. You have to want it, really want it, every day because there is a laundry list of players willing and eager to take your place.
The Icelandic league features a range of women from ages 17 to 30. Unlike college in America, there is no hierarchy in place to protect players.
“If you can play, you can play, and I love that,” Lewis said.
She can play.
By land or by air, Anchorage’s Ariela Lewis is a dangerous offensive weapon.
In high school, Lewis was the 2012 Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year. At Alabama State, she bagged 57 career goals and was the Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in 2013 and Player of the Year in 2016.
In 2017, she led the Seattle Stars to a championship in the Northwest Premier League and finished second in the league with six goals in nine games. In 2018, Lewis signed with Skövde KIK of the Swedish premier league.
Her jerseys have changed over the years, but Lewis has managed to stay a consistent playmaker.
“As the game evolves and the style changes from team to team and league to league to league, I think I’ve grown in the sense of adapting my play to fit the structure of the team,” she said. “But best believe I’ll always bring myself into a style of play which I think makes me a unique player.”
Ariela Lewis with the slide tackle in Iceland.
Lewis is back in Anchorage for the winter. She is training, playing in a Sunday rec league and working as a barista at Boom! Coffee.
“I absolutely love connecting with the customers and having a good work day with my co-workers,” she said.
Her boss is former Dimond classmate Lauren Hines.
“Lauren knows my odd season schedule and is kind enough to let me return to her shop when I come home,” Lewis said. “I’m truly honored to be on her staff and to have someone in my corner who is supportive in me continuing my dream job.”