SAUGUS — Some of the friendships you build through high school sports last forever, but what about playing beside someone in your family?
Shalyn and Shawn Sewell are sisters who share the field together on Saugus’ girls soccer team.
They’ve been playing on the varsity team since they were 12 years old. Now, they’re 15 and in their junior seasons.
“It’s really fun to play on the same team as her in general,” Shalyn said. “It definitely makes us closer and I feel like it’s just fun.”
“It’s very exciting to be able to play with her,” Shawn said. “It’s very predictable and she’s a very easy person to play with.”
Rewind to age 8. That’s when the two were falling in love with the sport, while playing for an NEFC academy soccer team.
Years later, that love remains — and chemistry.
Look no further than this past week. Each sister scored in a 7-1 win against Gloucester, then Shalyn found Shawn twice in the second half to lift Saugus over Bishop Fenwick on Saturday.
“I think we have really good chemistry and I think it’s just predictable to know what kind of plays we are going to play and the runs we have,” Shalyn said. “I think it’s fun, too, to play with her.”
When discussing their favorite memories together, the sisters each had one thing in common: they love to win.
“A lot of the wins have been very exciting together,” Shawn said. “It’s probably made us a little bit closer.”
Both are very competitive, but once the whistle blows, one might edge out the other, according to the sisters.
“We are both very competitive, but I would say Shalyn is slightly more competitive,” Shawn said.
Shawn and Shalyn look to keep the memories — and goals — coming, starting this Friday when the Sachems host Peabody.
Owen Finn is a student at Endicott College studying journalism
