Shannon Anderson

The Rath sisters pose at a team breakfast in Coach Wayland’s room.

When a freshman makes varsity, people notice. When freshman twins make varsity, people talk. But when freshman twins and their older sister make varsity, well, that could only mean we are talking about the Raths.

Twins Carly and Natalie Rath were the only freshmen to make the girls varsity soccer team for this season. Their older sister, senior, Gabby Rath, played at the varsity level for all four years of high school.

“When we were trying out, I wasn’t really sure if Carly and I would be able to make varsity like Gabby, but I really wanted it, so I worked hard for it,” Natalie said.

Carly plays defensive back, while Natalie and Gabby, with seven goals and four goals respectively, are offensive players.

“Gabby made varsity as a freshman, which definitely influenced us. We wanted to do that too, and we wanted to get the opportunity to play with her. We thought it would be cool to keep the family name going,” Natalie said.

The twins have been playing soccer on the same team for five years, and believe their relationship directly correlates with how they play.

“We’ve always been close, and when we’re in a fight or something, it really shows in how we play because we tend to take our anger out in the game. When we’re getting along we play really well together,” Natalie said.

The team and coaches encourage the siblings’ rivalry.

“We try to stay on the same team in practice because we don’t like to go against each other, but everyone seems to like when we compete,” Natalie said.

Their chemistry shows on the scoreboard.

“At the game on Saturday I passed the ball to Natalie and she scored, and I thought that was amazing since this is the first time we have played together, it made me really happy,” Gabby said.

The siblings have been able to connect through the extensive amount of time spent at practices.

“Natalie and I are always by each others side, but now I get to bond with Gabby. Especially since she’s leaving for college this year, it’s nice to be able to have a strong relationship,” Carly said.

Gabby will be attending Indiana University at Bloomington in the fall, and was directly admitted to the Kelley School of Business and the Honors College.

“I intend to keep playing soccer through college at a club or intramural level. It’s always been a big part of my life,” Gabby said.

Even after only playing with one another for a matter of months, the younger twins have gotten used to having their big sister around to help.

“It’s really going to be hard without Gabby there next year. She has always been the first to do everything in our family, and we get our information from her,” Carly said. “When she’s gone we will have to take more initiative, but I think we’re up for the challenge.”