The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Sisters making impact together for Big Red soccer
Experienced Eisens' communication helps Big Red midfield
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
When the Milan varsity girls' soccer team defeated St. Mary Catholic Central 1-0 this season, it was a family effort.
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Eisen got the goal and Eisen got the assist.
Freshman Lauren Eisen crossed the ball to her big sister Kaitlin Eisen, and the senior snapped it into the back of the net for the only goal of the game.
It was simple and beautiful.
Just what the coach ordered.
"It was the best play we've done all season," said head coach Russ Billau. "The two of them really work well together."
The Eisen sisters are bookends in Milan's midfield, and they are having the time of their soccer careers playing with one another.
"This is our first year together, so it's exciting," said Kaitlin. "I think it's pretty sweet. I was really hoping to play with my sister my senior year."
"I like it because we get to spend time together before she goes off to college," Lauren said.
Although both girls have been playing soccer for seven years, much of that under their dad, Tom Eisen, who coached a travel team, they had not played together until they teamed up in an indoor game before the varsity season started.
Now that they're on varsity together, it makes it easier on their father and mother, Barb, who only have to come to one game.
That's one benefit.
There are others.
Being sisters, who may disagree at times at home, the pair communicates well on the field.
"I know her moves," Kaitlin said. "I know where she's going to be."
Their coach agrees and appreciates how each of them contributes a different component to the team's chemistry.
"Lauren has real soccer smarts," Billau said, "and Kaitlin is a hard worker that brings leadership to the team."
There are benefits, too, to having your big sister on the other side of the field when you're a 14-year-old freshman playing on the varsity squad.
Kaitlin has made Lauren's transition smoother and easier.
And she's learning from Kaitlin to be more aggressive.
Kaitlin admits without hesitation to being an enforcer on the field, even more so when it comes to her little sister.
"I'm like no one touches my sister," Kaitlin said. "Don't mess with my sister."
She laughed when she said it, but anyone could tell she wasn't joking.
As Milan opponents better understand this season, coming between sisters can be costly.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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