When head coach Janet Rayfield arrived at Illinois, she knew she wanted to create a family atmosphere within the team – but little did she know she would end up with two pairs of family members playing for her.

The Illini soccer team has a unique situation. Two pairs of sisters play on the team: junior defenders Natasha and Christen Karniski, along with freshman defender Mary Therese McDonnell and her sophomore sister Shannon.

The Karniski sisters are identical twins, and it is often hard to tell which one is which on the field. Even their style of play is similar.

Natasha and Christen have always been close. In high school they were co-valedictorians of their graduating class, were involved in the National Council of Youth Leadership Program, played for the Iowa Invasion club team in their hometown of Iowa City and were sprinters for their two-time state champion track team.

“We always said we’d decide which school we were going to separately,” Natasha said. “We both had a feeling we’d end up at the same place because it would be strange for us not to be together.”

Marsha Karniski, Natasha and Christen’s mother, said they had always been closer than typical sisters.

“Even growing up, they’ve always had similar interests,” Marsha said. “When they both wanted to play a musical instrument, they both chose the piano.”

Their mother also said they had pushed each other to get where they are today.

“They’ve definitely helped each other become better,” Marsha said. “They go out and play every single day during the summer. They have a good friendly competitiveness and they are constantly working to get better with each other.”

Like the Karniski sisters, the McDonnell sisters are very tight-knit. During last year’s spring season, Shannon walked on the team, while Mary Therese was recruited as part of this year’s freshman class. Shannon and Mary Therese have helped each other make the transition into their first year of collegiate soccer.

“We just push each other,” Shannon said. “It’s nice to always have someone there pushing you to be better. It’s good to have someone around.”

Rayfield said having the pairs of sisters on the team has helped the team see what she meant by playing as a family.

“There is a real closeness between both of these pairs of sisters,” Rayfield said. “That automatically brings a bond advantageous to the team, and by having these pairs of actual sisters as true family members, it helps bring that definition to life for us.”

Although that is not what Rayfield intended when she recruited them, she is happy about the added bonus.

“When we recruited them, we recruited them as individuals,” Rayfield said. “It was their individual talents that brought them here separately; the ‘together part’ is an added bonus.”

Overall, both sisters are glad they made the decision to come to the Illini together.

“It’s nice because you’re never alone,” Natasha said. “It’s nice to have your sister there whenever you need her. Now, I can’t imagine what it’d be like any other way.”