Bell soccer sisters finally get to play on same team

Savannah McGill’s job is to score goals. Younger sister Sadie’s job is to stop goals from being scored.

Together, they are helping the L.D. Bell Lady Raiders in their quest for a soccer playoff berth this season.

“I never like it when she scores on me in practice,” said Sadie, a freshman goalkeeper, with a laugh. “Although we’ve practiced together in the past, this is the first time we’ve been together on the same team. It’s fun playing with her on the same team and not just watching her play on another team from the sidelines.”

Savannah is one of the team’s top scorers, while Sadie has been sterling defensively in goal.

“I already know how to play well with her because I know her strengths and style of play,” said Savannah, a junior forward. “During practice we are both very serious about the necessary work that needs to be put in. But outside of practice we get to goof around and just be sisters, and do fun sister things.”

Both started playing soccer at an early age, in kindergarten. And though they both play in the same club program, D’Feeters ECNL, they are in different age groups, so their union on the Bell varsity was a first.

“These girls seem to have a really strong relationship, and are really supportive of each other,” said Bell coach Corey Rolf. “They appear to be genuinely excited to play with one another.”

In fact, it was at an early age that they began helping each other improve their skills, though it would be years before they were on the same team.

“When I was about four, my sister would put me in front of the fence and tell me to stop the ball when she shot it,” Sadie said. “We played a lot in the back yard.

“In the beginning, I only played on the field. I decided I liked playing in goal when my coach had us take turns in that position.”

Like Sadie, Savannah made the varsity squad as a freshman. Savannah has confidence her sister will, like her, be a strong contributor throughout her high school career.

Savannah is a two-time all-district selection.

“I am very proud of her for making the varsity team her freshman year. I definitely know her sharp goalkeeper instincts and athleticism will help against some of the harder teams this season,” Savannah said. “It doesn’t hurt that she’s tall as well. Height always helps in goal.

“I think her growing skills as she goes through high school will contribute to Bell’s success.”

They work closely together on the field, and are close off the field.

“We have the same kind of disagreements all sisters have. We sometimes tease each other on the field, there may even be some trash talking, but always in good humor,” Savannah said. “When we aren’t working out, we like playing with our dogs together or just hanging out and watching movies together.”

This story was originally published February 1, 2016 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Bell soccer sisters finally get to play on same team."