For most sports teams, chemistry between players can take years to develop. For juniors Meghan and Melissa (Missy) Hartwig, that chemistry comes naturally.

 

The twin sisters are playing important roles for the Oakland University women’s soccer team this season.

 

They’ve been inseparable on and off the field since they began playing in sixth grade.

 

“When he (coach Nick O’Shea) put us on the same side … he realized we play well together,” Meghan said. “(Melissa) played a lot better which made me play a lot better and I think coach realized that if he put us on the same side we can get something going.”

 

Along with natural chemistry comes an inevitable competition between the sisters.

 

“I think the sibling rivalry pushes me to really strive to be the best I can be, because it’s more than representing myself, but also my sister,” Missy said. “Playing against her in practice makes me play harder because let’s face it — no one wants to lose to their sister.”

 

With Meghan at left midfield and Missy right behind her at left defense, the sisters’ playing styles have become complimentary over the years.

 

“They’re both composed on the ball, but we’re playing Missy in the back because she does the defense work and is more disciplined. Meghan is better running with the ball and seeing quick play options,” O’Shea said.

 

Teammate, junior Dani Haelewyn, agrees that the bond between the sisters has been a significant contribution to the team.

 

“It’s weird because sometimes without even talking, they play the ball exactly where the other one will be. Like if Missy was playing a ball forward, Meghan would make a cut inside and Missy would play it exactly to her,” Haelewyn said. “Their chemistry is unbeatable against opponents because no one really expects them to work that well together.”

 

While each has enjoyed career success, the twins admit that coming to OU for soccer was not a quick decision.

 

Knowing they did not want to go to different colleges, they looked into playing basketball at Albion College.

 

“I was always more basketball and she was always more soccer, but Oakland was where we wanted to go so we contacted Nick O’Shea to come check us out,” Missy said.

 

After both an official and unofficial visit to OU, O’Shea was pleased with what he saw and offered both of the women a spot on the team.

 

“We never thought we would go away from each other, but we didn’t think we would both be able to play soccer here, so that was really neat,” Meghan said.

 

Last season, Meghan finished second on the team in goal scoring, and became only the fourth player in OU’s history to score three goals in a single half during a victory against North Dakota State.

 

Missy, who, as a sophomore, scored one goal and assisted on two, has been a versatile player for the Grizzlies in the midfield. She was moved to the back end this season when a defensive position opened up.

 

“Meghan worked very hard in the summer between her freshman and sophomore year and it really paid off,” O’Shea said. “I think Missy saw that and how it impacted Meghan and she really stepped up this year and started working just that little bit more.”

 

This year, both Megham and Missy have found continued success, earning starts in the majority of the games. The women’s team fought for a spot in the Summit League Tournament in a game Friday against IFPW. The Grizzlies shut out the Mastodons 4-0, with Meghan contributing an assist.

 

“As a team, I would really like to win the first round of the NCAA tournament. We always get to the first round, but never get past that first game,” Missy said.

 

“We got to the tournament our freshman year, and it would be great to go for it again,” Meghan added.

 

The Hartwig sisters and the rest of the Golden Grizzlies will play two more road games before postseason play begins.