Notables
Tim Wills' Knights are 16-1-3, while Abby Wills' Knights went 15-5.
Photos by Ryan Coleman, D3sports.com
By Russell Buehler
It's not often that one meets a state-champion caliber athlete; even rarer that one encounters a two-time state champ. The odds of running into two athletes with three state titles between them: highly unlikely. The odds that they're related: slim to none. The chance that they're twins: impossible. However unlikely, these accolades apply to Carleton soccer players Tim and Abby Wills.
Lovingly dubbed the Wills Dynasty, these two first-year Carleton student-athletes hail all the way from Portland, Ore. During their high school and club careers the Wills twins have managed to rack up an astounding three state championships, numerous first and second-team all-conference player awards, a Second-Team All-State Award, and a pair of trips to regionals.
These twins grew up on the sport they love. At the age of 5, they were playing side-by-side on the same rec league team. "Our parents are really into soccer; my father actually coached Abby for seven years," remembers Tim. Abby also has fond memories of childhood soccer, adding: "When we were little, all the kids would play soccer during recess. I always played with Tim and his friends. It was just us against the rest of the school."
Although no longer playing side-by-side, the pair can still be found training together during the offseason and cheering for each other. "The soccer teams really try and support each other. If we can, [the men's team goes] to their games and cheer [the women's team] on, and they do the same for us," adds Tim.
Something seems to be working. The siblings both wear uniform No. 8 and have helped their respective teams set school records for victories this season en route to earning their programs' first-ever berths in the NCAA Championships.
The men's team has destroyed its opponents this year and clinched its second consecutive MIAC title. The squad defeated Augsburg in a shootout on Saturday to advance to the NCAA Championships and raise its overall record to 16-1-3. Tim Wills has been an invaluable addition to the roster, leading the Knights in goals scored without ever starting a game.
"This is the first year I haven't started any freshmen, a commentary not on how good they are, but on the strength of our upperclassmen. This year's freshmen, including Tim, are just as talented as any I've had", explains men's coach Bob Carlson. "[Tim] has a great soccer brain. He sees a pass or two ahead. He also has great touch and balance."
The success of the men's team is almost mirrored by the success of the women (15-5).
The 3-0 win over Concordia in Saturday's MIAC Playoffs final was the Carleton women's eighth straight and punched their ticket for the national tournament. Coach Keren Gudeman raves about her half of the Wills Dynasty, "Abby is one of the main engines on the field. She's a catalyst both offensively and defensively. Abby has some really good goals, but a lot of her value is in the fact that she's the pass before the assist. She's really a key force on our attack."
Although both Abby and Tim Wills have achieved fame on the pitch, the twins insist it is their parents who are the true stars. "They always watch our home games on Carleton's webcasts. If it's an away game, they ask for the score right afterwards. They've always been there."
Smiling, Tim added, "They visited us a little while ago; that day Abby scored a goal ... so I had to score two."
It's not often that one meets a state-champion caliber athlete; even rarer that one encounters a two-time state champ. The odds of running into two athletes with three state titles between them: highly unlikely. The odds that they're related: slim to none. The chance that they're twins: impossible. However unlikely, these accolades apply to Carleton soccer players Tim and Abby Wills.
| Playoffs: Men's bracket | Women's bracket | Scores |
These twins grew up on the sport they love. At the age of 5, they were playing side-by-side on the same rec league team. "Our parents are really into soccer; my father actually coached Abby for seven years," remembers Tim. Abby also has fond memories of childhood soccer, adding: "When we were little, all the kids would play soccer during recess. I always played with Tim and his friends. It was just us against the rest of the school."
Although no longer playing side-by-side, the pair can still be found training together during the offseason and cheering for each other. "The soccer teams really try and support each other. If we can, [the men's team goes] to their games and cheer [the women's team] on, and they do the same for us," adds Tim.
Something seems to be working. The siblings both wear uniform No. 8 and have helped their respective teams set school records for victories this season en route to earning their programs' first-ever berths in the NCAA Championships.
The men's team has destroyed its opponents this year and clinched its second consecutive MIAC title. The squad defeated Augsburg in a shootout on Saturday to advance to the NCAA Championships and raise its overall record to 16-1-3. Tim Wills has been an invaluable addition to the roster, leading the Knights in goals scored without ever starting a game.
"This is the first year I haven't started any freshmen, a commentary not on how good they are, but on the strength of our upperclassmen. This year's freshmen, including Tim, are just as talented as any I've had", explains men's coach Bob Carlson. "[Tim] has a great soccer brain. He sees a pass or two ahead. He also has great touch and balance."
The success of the men's team is almost mirrored by the success of the women (15-5).
The 3-0 win over Concordia in Saturday's MIAC Playoffs final was the Carleton women's eighth straight and punched their ticket for the national tournament. Coach Keren Gudeman raves about her half of the Wills Dynasty, "Abby is one of the main engines on the field. She's a catalyst both offensively and defensively. Abby has some really good goals, but a lot of her value is in the fact that she's the pass before the assist. She's really a key force on our attack."
Although both Abby and Tim Wills have achieved fame on the pitch, the twins insist it is their parents who are the true stars. "They always watch our home games on Carleton's webcasts. If it's an away game, they ask for the score right afterwards. They've always been there."
Smiling, Tim added, "They visited us a little while ago; that day Abby scored a goal ... so I had to score two."
Permalink | Nov 12, 2008