Identical Giron twins' differences
yield benefits for Lake Park
By Ken Keenan
Lake Park seniors Lilli and Sophie Giron are identical twins, but that's not exactly the case when it comes to the game of soccer.
Lilli (born six minutes ahead of Sophie) is a forward known for a take-no-prisoners approach on the attack. Sophie, on the other hand, plays the role of a calm, cool and collected defender.
"Even though they grew up much the same way, they play the game in different ways," said Lancers head coach Sean Crosby. "It's two different skill sets, two different strengths on the field -- one up-front and one in the back. Lilli is super-aggressive ... very much an engine of our offense. Her movement never seems to stop. And she's a fighter. She won't give up on a play. Her will to win is very high.
"Sophie is very composed and calculated, very patient and poised. She has an ability to break down plays -- very good at slowing down the game."
Crosby continued: "Lilli is also more of a vocal leader, more verbal to motivate her teammates. Sophie is a little more reserved in that role. For us, they're both leaders in their own way ... both great advocates of the program."
Raised in a soccer-loving family, the Giron twins participated in a Roselle Park District program (beginning at age 5) and then joined Lancer SC, Lake Park's local soccer club.
"A lot of people in our family play," Lilli said. "My dad loves soccer so much. But both parents have been very supportive. They love doing it, going to games and practices."
The twins both spent time as midfielders at the youth level before latching onto their current positions as they prepared to join the high school ranks.
"I've always been on the attacking side," Lilli said. "In eighth grade, I tried forward and stuck with it. I was always more successful attacking, and Sophie was always a better defender."
Sophie agreed, adding: "I always liked defense. I like to save goals. Saving a goal is a bigger rush than scoring a goal. Even though Lilli and I play the same sport, we can be different with our skills and personalities. Lilli, she's faster with the ball. The aggressiveness works better for her position and the calmness better for mine."
Crosby noted that among the twins' similarities is, "their passion for soccer. They love training; they love playing in games. They may have two different styles -- two totally different skill sets -- but they're the same passion-wise."
In describing how they're most similar, Sophie said, "Work ethic. And we're honest with each other, too. Lilli, she'll say what's on her mind. If I notice something, I'll tell her as well. You need that to grow."
Countered Lilli: "We motivate each other. In practice, we both want to beat out the other. We're always competitive with each other, but we're always encouraging each other, always trying to improve. We've always been on the same team, never against each other.
"Me and Sophie, we like our own independence. But on the field, she's more like a teammate than a sister. Off the field, we enjoy some of the same things ... similar taste in music and humor. She's a friend, too, as well as a sister and teammate."
The pair won't be roommates, however, when they continue their soccer careers at Marian University, a Division III school located in Fond du Lac, Wis.
"Not roommates, no," said Sophie, who plans to major in either therapy or social work. "We want to branch out. But we'll still be together. It's good to know that comfort of playing with her and going to to the same school, too."
Lilli, who's leaning toward a major in business or accounting, said, "It will be nice to go together and play together. It's nice to have a familiar face to be with you. Knowing someone there definitely makes it better, academically and soccer-wise."
In the meantime, the Giron twins remain hopeful that their third and final varsity campaign at Lake Park will commence at some point this spring.
"With the chemistry we have, it could have been a really strong year," Sophie said. "Being stuck at home, not even being to go out on the field -- even practice -- it's hard."
Added Lilli: "Not playing right now, it's tough. It's our senior year, and we had high hopes for this season. I miss it a lot, and being our last year makes it harder. It would be so devastating not to play. But I am excited to to get a chance to play the next four years, and Sophie said she's excited to move on to the next level, too."
yield benefits for Lake Park
By Ken Keenan
Lake Park seniors Lilli and Sophie Giron are identical twins, but that's not exactly the case when it comes to the game of soccer.
Lilli (born six minutes ahead of Sophie) is a forward known for a take-no-prisoners approach on the attack. Sophie, on the other hand, plays the role of a calm, cool and collected defender.
"Even though they grew up much the same way, they play the game in different ways," said Lancers head coach Sean Crosby. "It's two different skill sets, two different strengths on the field -- one up-front and one in the back. Lilli is super-aggressive ... very much an engine of our offense. Her movement never seems to stop. And she's a fighter. She won't give up on a play. Her will to win is very high.
"Sophie is very composed and calculated, very patient and poised. She has an ability to break down plays -- very good at slowing down the game."
Crosby continued: "Lilli is also more of a vocal leader, more verbal to motivate her teammates. Sophie is a little more reserved in that role. For us, they're both leaders in their own way ... both great advocates of the program."
Raised in a soccer-loving family, the Giron twins participated in a Roselle Park District program (beginning at age 5) and then joined Lancer SC, Lake Park's local soccer club.
"A lot of people in our family play," Lilli said. "My dad loves soccer so much. But both parents have been very supportive. They love doing it, going to games and practices."
The twins both spent time as midfielders at the youth level before latching onto their current positions as they prepared to join the high school ranks.
"I've always been on the attacking side," Lilli said. "In eighth grade, I tried forward and stuck with it. I was always more successful attacking, and Sophie was always a better defender."
Sophie agreed, adding: "I always liked defense. I like to save goals. Saving a goal is a bigger rush than scoring a goal. Even though Lilli and I play the same sport, we can be different with our skills and personalities. Lilli, she's faster with the ball. The aggressiveness works better for her position and the calmness better for mine."
Crosby noted that among the twins' similarities is, "their passion for soccer. They love training; they love playing in games. They may have two different styles -- two totally different skill sets -- but they're the same passion-wise."
In describing how they're most similar, Sophie said, "Work ethic. And we're honest with each other, too. Lilli, she'll say what's on her mind. If I notice something, I'll tell her as well. You need that to grow."
Countered Lilli: "We motivate each other. In practice, we both want to beat out the other. We're always competitive with each other, but we're always encouraging each other, always trying to improve. We've always been on the same team, never against each other.
"Me and Sophie, we like our own independence. But on the field, she's more like a teammate than a sister. Off the field, we enjoy some of the same things ... similar taste in music and humor. She's a friend, too, as well as a sister and teammate."
The pair won't be roommates, however, when they continue their soccer careers at Marian University, a Division III school located in Fond du Lac, Wis.
"Not roommates, no," said Sophie, who plans to major in either therapy or social work. "We want to branch out. But we'll still be together. It's good to know that comfort of playing with her and going to to the same school, too."
Lilli, who's leaning toward a major in business or accounting, said, "It will be nice to go together and play together. It's nice to have a familiar face to be with you. Knowing someone there definitely makes it better, academically and soccer-wise."
In the meantime, the Giron twins remain hopeful that their third and final varsity campaign at Lake Park will commence at some point this spring.
"With the chemistry we have, it could have been a really strong year," Sophie said. "Being stuck at home, not even being to go out on the field -- even practice -- it's hard."
Added Lilli: "Not playing right now, it's tough. It's our senior year, and we had high hopes for this season. I miss it a lot, and being our last year makes it harder. It would be so devastating not to play. But I am excited to to get a chance to play the next four years, and Sophie said she's excited to move on to the next level, too."