Sister Pairs Help Bath Soccer Make Strides with 1st League, District Championships
By
Christine McCallister
Special for MHSAA.com
July 27, 2026
Although it still happens here and there, there once was a time – especially in small towns – when it wasn’t unusual to see multiple siblings on the same high school team.
Part of that was practical. Families were often larger. Opportunities looked different.
But part of it was something deeper: community, continuity, and kids growing up together, not just in school, but in sports.
This spring, the Bath girls soccer team saw it come full circle. The Bees – who finished 15-2 and won Central Michigan Athletic Conference and Division 4 District championships under coach Sarah Murdoch – did so with five sets of siblings on their roster.
From freshmen to seniors, the five sets of sisters weren’t just on the same team – they were actively playing, contributing, and sharing the field together every single game.
“It has been something really amazing,” Bath assistant coach Megan Cook shared along the way. “I think it is really fun to watch how they push and support their siblings in their own unique way.”
The league and District titles were both program firsts for the Bees. Among those taking the field during the historic run were the following:
- The Kotch sisters – senior Angelynn and junior Electra.
- The Hamilton sisters – sophomore Sophia and freshman Ashlyn.
- The Barber sisters – senior Braelynn and freshman Jaydin.
- The Schneider sisters – junior Emily and freshman Isabella.
- The Montri sisters – senior Lydia and freshman Allie.
Together, they helped create a team dynamic that included younger sisters stepping into spaces they’d watched for years, and older sisters leading by example on an off the field. The families had spent seasons together in a way that went by too fast, as part of a program that has created room for connection and not just competition.
There’s something powerful about sharing the same jersey, the same sidelines, the same wins and losses, with someone who knows you beyond the game.
What does it actually look like when five sets of siblings share the same field?
From warm-ups to drills to scrimmages, there’s a rhythm that’s a little different, and a little special. There’s built-in communication, quick understanding, and a level of trust that doesn’t need to be taught.
There’s a balance between familiarity and competition. Cook explained that each sibling set brought different personalities and energy to the field, which helped the athletes grow individually while still sharing that family connection.
“I believe the success of the girls soccer program can be directly attributed to the family atmosphere cultivated at the youth level. We’re very fortunate to have people like Steve Torok who work tirelessly to promote soccer at the youth level,” Bath athletic director Eric Harrelson said. “Younger sisters can see what a positive impact soccer has on their siblings and want to be a part of the program. Many of the younger sisters have watched their older sisters from the sidelines as ball shaggers and aspire to have the same success.
“Having five sets of sisters on the same team has been quite a unique phenomenon. The sense of pride that their parents have while watching their daughters play is obvious and infectious.”
Setting examples starts early
Torok, who directs the community’s youth program, described Bath soccer as something kids grow up around long before they officially join a team.
“A lot of these kids grow up on the sidelines watching older brothers and sisters play, helping at events, kicking balls around after games, and eventually they want to be part of it too,” he explained.
“That kind of thing only happens when the environment is positive, welcoming, and fun for families year after year. To me, it really shows that Bath soccer has become more than just a sports program; it’s a community families want to stay involved with and keep coming back to.”
He also laughed about how younger sisters often end up following the same paths as their older siblings without anyone formally planning it.
“Younger sisters spend years around the fields watching games, hanging around practices, eating concession stand snacks, and tagging along to everything, so eventually they decide they want in too,” he noted.
Carolyn Hoard, who with Torok and others serves on the Bath Soccer Club board, shared that the excitement surrounding girls soccer often starts long before varsity.
She described the culture as “electric and contagious,” explaining that younger players grow up watching older girls compete, celebrate, work hard, and build friendships they hope to one day experience themselves.
“Growing up, my oldest daughter always talked about how she couldn’t wait to play on the varsity team,” Hoard shared. “Little did she know, in the background were her three little sisters watching her grow as a player and talk about her love of the game, which in return fueled their love and desire to play for BSC.”
Sisters tell their stories
When asked what it was like having a sister on the same team, the answers ranged from sweet to honest, with plenty of sisterly love mixed in.
Braelynn Barber shared that it was a good experience, even if her sister Jaydin could be a little annoying at times.
Emily Schneider described it as very eventful, while Lydia Montri said it was definitely entertaining.
Ashlyn Hamilton said it was fun, but as she passed the microphone to her goalie sister, Sophia, she admitted it could also be annoying sometimes. Sophia quickly added that it was frustrating being with your sister all day, every day.
Jaydin Barber summed it up simply as, “okay.” Meanwhile, Allie Montri said it was pretty cool.
As for their favorite memories, the answers were exactly what you might expect from a group of sisters – some funny, some sarcastic, and some simply different perspectives on the very same moment.
Jaydin Barber shared that one of her favorite memories was scoring a goal and celebrating with a hug from her sister afterward. Braelynn Barber remembered that play a little differently, laughing that she passed the ball to Jaydin, who then kicked it right to the goalie – meaning no goal and no assist.
Allie Montri’s favorite memory came with a smile as she recalled being on the verge of scoring when sister Lydia swooped in and stole the goal. Coincidentally, that was Lydia’s favorite memory too (although Lydia remembers it as a great moment and was thankful for Allie’s assist).
Ashlyn Hamilton shared that scoring a goal and celebrating with a “scuba” was one of her favorite moments of the season. Sophia Hamilton quickly pointed out that it was her favorite memory too, joking that her little sister had stolen it.
For Isabella Schneider, a favorite memory was simply seeing one another on the field and sharing sister hugs afterward. Emily Schneider agreed, saying those moments stand out for her as well, while also looking ahead and noting that there are still more memories to be made.
And when asked whether she mostly sees sisters or simply one connected team when she looks out at the field as their coach, Cook’s answer was immediate:
“One team for sure,” she said.
“This team feels like they all are sisters together. I think that dynamic has helped lead us to so much success this year.”
PHOTOS (Top) Bath players, including the Schneider sisters Emily (20) and Isabella (23), celebrate their District championship win May 31. (2) From left: Lydia Montri, Allie Montri, Jaydin Barber and Braelynn Barber. (3) Angelynn Kotch, right, jumps into sister Electra’s arms. (4) From left: Emily Schneider, Isabella Schneider, Ashlyn Hamilton and Sophia Hamilton. (Photos by Click by Christine McCallister.)
Undefeated, Motivated Linden Answers
May 4, 2016
By Bill Khan
Special for Second Half
LINDEN — All they could do was watch from afar and torture themselves with one nagging question: What if?
What if, Linden's girls' soccer players wondered, they had gotten past neighboring rival Fenton in the District championship game last season?
What if the Linden team that beat the Tigers by a 5-0 score 10 days earlier had shown up that day, instead of the one that lost, 3-1, with postseason survival at stake?
Would that have been Linden, not Fenton, playing for the MHSAA Division 2 championship on the final day of the season at Michigan State University?
Nobody knows for sure if Linden would've marched all the way to the final like Fenton did had the Eagles won that District championship game. Still, it didn't stop the players from wondering if the opportunity of a lifetime eluded them.
"We were all mad at ourselves," junior midfielder Alia Frederick said. "That's awesome they got that far. We want to get that far, because that would be amazing. I couldn't imagine playing in the state finals. That would be a once-in-a-lifetime thing. That feeling that it could've been us haunts us and pushes us. To lose to them in the (District) Finals, I give props to them for making it that far, but it could've been us; that's what's pushing us."
One year later, Linden may get the opportunity to experience an MHSAA championship game.
The Eagles, who were 15-4 last season, are 13-0-1 and ranked No. 4 in Division 2 by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association. Linden has never been beyond the Regional phase of the MHSAA tournament, peaking with Regional Finals appearances in 1998 and 2011.
"You know what?" Linden coach Kevin Fiebernitz said. "I'd be satisfied being at 10 or out of the rankings and fly under the radar. We just don't talk about it. I don't ever bring it up with the kids. That's just the opinion of somebody else. The bottom line is you've got to come to play; the other teams don't really care. It puts a bull's-eye on your back, and you've got to come to play."
The Eagles have earned their high ranking, not only because they were competitive with Division 2 finalist Fenton last season, but because they've taken down some of the top programs in the state this spring.
Linden has been overshadowed over the years by Grand Blanc and Flint Powers Catholic, the two heavyweights in Genesee County. Both teams boast state rankings this season, making it even more impressive that the Eagles were able to beat both, winning 2-0 at Powers on April 12 and 2-0 over Grand Blanc on April 23 at the Saginaw Heritage Showcase.
Grand Blanc, a Division 1 finalist last season, is ranked No. 5. Powers is the top-ranked team in Division 3. Linden also owns a 2-1 victory over Fenton, which was ranked No. 15 last week before dropping from the Division 2 poll.
Another impressive result for the Eagles was a 0-0 tie in the Heritage Showcase against Troy Athens, the No. 12 team in Division 1.
The Eagles came away from Heritage with a 2-0-1 record against large Division 1 schools, outperforming the expectations of their nervous coach.
"At the time, I didn't know it was a Division 1 showcase," Fiebernitz said. "We're a small Division 2 school. We're probably one of the smaller teams in our division. We got thrown in less than a week before it happened, because they had an opening. They called Cathy (North, Linden's athletic director) and they filled it.
"Then when I saw the schedule, I thought, 'Oh, I don't know if this is a good idea.' The girls proved me wrong. They went up there and just rocked it."
The Eagles have been rocking it all season, staying undefeated by allowing only four goals in 14 games. They have posted seven consecutive shutouts, with senior Bridget Adams and junior Madison Paige splitting the goalkeeping duties. Paige has a 0.17 goals against average, while Adams has a 0.50 GAA.
"Did we see this start coming?" Adams said. "Honestly, not really, considering that tournament we went into was all D1 teams. The fact we came out with no losses was amazing. We only lost four people from last year. I expected to have a really good season, like we did last year. We're off to a really good start; hopefully, we finish the same way."
Like any team, health could play a major role in Linden's ultimate success this season.
The team's leading scorer, junior forward Maddie Zayan, stepped in a hole during a game against Holly on April 25 and suffered a severe ankle sprain. She isn't expected to return until late May, right around District time. Zayan has 16 goals and 13 assists in 13 games.
"So, basically, we've had to shift some things around," Fiebernitz said. "Other folks are going to have to step up and play a role now."
If Linden can duplicate Fenton's postseason run, it would be a historic achievement for the school. Linden has never reached an MHSAA championship game in a girls sport, with the 1981 volleyball and 2013 softball teams reaching the Semifinals. The 2004 baseball team is the only Linden team to play in a championship game. In a sport with a meet format, the 2008 boys cross country team won the school's only MHSAA championship.
Frederick has already competed on a team that broke new ground for Linden, leading the girls cross country team to fourth place in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 meet in the fall. That surpassed the 2011 fifth-place finish in golf as the best finish in a meet format by a girls team at Linden.
Frederick was third individually with a time of 18:30.6, having set the school record of 18:10 three weeks earlier in the Portage Invitational. She has verbally committed to attend Eastern Michigan University on a soccer scholarship, and is unsure whether or not she'll run cross country in the fall.
"I kind of want to play volleyball," Frederick said. "I want to get the most out of my high school experience, because I don't want to do anything but play soccer when I'm out of high school."
To that end, Frederick doubles up in the spring as a member of the track and field team. She isn't a distance runner, however. Frederick qualified for the MHSAA LP Division 2 meet in both hurdles events last season, placing 10th in the 300-meter hurdles in 47.14 seconds and 21st in the 100 hurdles in 16.77.
"I didn't do as good as I wanted to, but hopefully I'll do better this year," Frederick said. "Soccer's definitely my main sport, but I like hurdles, so I do that."
With Zayan on the mend, Linden's leading active scorer is senior Katie Wilkowski with 10 goals and six assists in 14 games. Frederick has nine goals and five assists. Freshman Audrey Steiert has four goals and seven assists.
This is a team that also will be a force next season, with its core comprised of nine juniors.
"I think six of us are on the same club team," Zayan said. "We've played indoor together since we were in middle school. We're so close off the field, that on the field it just clicks."
If Linden is going to take off on a long tournament run, it will likely run into its arch rival, a team with the experience of playing in an MHSAA title game. What's more, a potential District matchup against Fenton will take place on the Tigers' home field.
Fiebernitz expects Fenton to be an even tougher challenge in late May than the Tigers were when they lost that 2-1 match to Linden on March 30.
"Matt (Sullivan, Fenton's coach) runs his team different," Fiebernitz said. "He subs a lot, gets a lot of kids actively playing. Then, at the end, they'll try to run you to death."
Bill Khan served as a sportswriter at The Flint Journal from 1981-2011 and currently contributes to the State Champs! Sports Network. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Saginaw, Bay, Arenac, Midland and Gladwin counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Alia Frederick (6) and Teresa Walterhouse (5) move the ball upfield for the Linden girls soccer team. (Middle) Frederick works to create space while a defender looks to gain possession. (Photos courtesy of the Linden athletic department.)