Emily Colton On Opposite Side Of Twin Sister Against Wake Forest

CHAPEL Hill, N.C. - Twin sisters, Emily and Abbie Colton, have been teammates since birth and have always worn the same uniform.

That all changes Friday night when the two soccer playing sisters will be on opposing teams for the first time.

The siblings will face off as college foes with Emily, a sophomore midfielder, suiting up for No. 2 North Carolina, and Abbie, a sophomore midfielder, on the sidelines for Wake Forest, unable to play due to injury.

The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start at Dorrance Field.

"This will be the first time we've ever played each other on opposite teams, which will be weird" Emily said. "I think it would be weirder if she were [playing], which we will get that opportunity next year. Being on the field and looking over and seeing her on the other team will be weird, but it'll still be amazing to see her."

"Seeing her on the field will be an incredibly surreal moment," Abbie said. "We've looked forward to this moment our whole lives, so it's pretty exciting."

The Tar Heels and Demon Deacons did not play each other during the Coltons' freshmen season of 2021, putting a pause on the expected matchup which has finally arrived for their parents, Debbi and Jeff Colton.

"They've been waiting for this moment," Emily said. "We were always joking about how we were going to play each other, but we never really thought the moment would come but it's here now.

"My parents will be rooting for both teams. They would like to see [Abbie] out on the field, but I think it'll be a proud moment for them."

The native Californians grew up playing in midfield together, competing for City SC San Diego. Abbie played with the club for 14 seasons, while Emily was there just 12 years before being called up to the United States U15 and U17 Women's National Team.

Playing together, the twins fed off each other with Abbie being a more defensive-minded midfielder and Emily more prone to attacking the goal.

"We're different players," Emily explained. "She is very good in the air. She can win any ball in the air which was always amazing because she won it, got it to me and I would dribble at the other team's backline. I miss playing with her a lot."

Their ability to play together and help each other develop led them, and their parents, from Southern California to the heart of ACC country.

While they still keep a home in San Diego, after both daughters committed to play in North Carolina, the Coltons decided to take up seasonal residency in the Triangle, which has allowed the twins to see more of each other.

"We get the opportunity to see each other often due to our parents moving from California to Chapel Hill," Abbie said. "It's fun to compare our different lives and seasons since they are so similar but different."

"We're really, really close," Emily said. "It's been tough going to separate schools and adapting to it all, but it's nice that we are only an hour and a half drive, so we do get to see each other pretty often, which is super nice."

As close as they are, both still want to win, and both know that the other is going to do whatever it takes to help her team win.

"[Emily] is the most competitive and intelligent player I've ever watched," Abbie said. "She amazes me every time she steps on the field."

Although Abbie won't have a direct effect on the outcome of this match, Emily knows her sister's competitive fire will be burning and when its over the bond they share will still be intact.

"As much as [Abbie] doesn't like to admit it, she is one of the most competitive people I've ever met," Emily said. "I'm openly competitive where I feel like she's closet competitive; she doesn't show it that much, but we both hate to lose.

"One of us will be upset after the game, but at the end of the day we're still sisters and best friends."

MATCH NOTES
INSIDE THE ACC STANDINGS | Carolina enters ACC play this weekend tied for third place along with Notre Dame and Pitt with 12 points, while Wake Forest is tied for seventh with nine points. Florida State defeated Duke on Thursday night to take sole possession of first place with 18 points and the Blue Devils fell to second place with 15 points.

LAST MEETING | Rachel Jones netted a pair of goals in a rain-soaked 4-1 win against Wake Forest to open the 2020 season. Brianna Pinto scored the game's first goal in the 21st minute before Jones pushed the Carolina lead to 2-0 in the 23rd minute. WFU answered in the 35th minute with their lone goal. Jones scored again in the 58th minute and Aleigh Gambone found Hallie Klanke in the 78th minute for the final goal. UNC held a 20-4 shot advantage and put 11 on goal compared to Wake Forest's four.

SENIOR NIGHT | The Tar Heels will be recognizing their senior class prior to the game: Sarah Bayer, Maycee Bell, Isabel Cox, Julia Dorsey, Aleigh Gambone, Tori Hansen, Rachel Jones, Marz Josephson, Libby Moore, Emily Moxley, Maggie Pierce, and Madi Pry.

THE SERIES | Carolina has won eight straight over Wake Forest, outscoring the Demon Deacons 19-3 in those games. UNC leads the all-time series with Wake Forest, 33-2-2, including a 20-1-1 mark at home.

THREE IN A ROW | Following back-to-back wins over Pitt and NC State, Carolina is looking for its first three-game winning streak of the season since opening the year with five consecutive victories.

Emily Colton On Opposite Side Of Twin Sister Against Wake Forest

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sarah Bayer

Maycee Bell

Isabel Cox

Julia Dorsey

Aleigh Gambone

Tori Hansen

Rachel Jones

Marz Josephson

Hallie Klanke

Libby Moore

Emily Moxley

Maggie Pierce

Madi Pry

Emily Colton On Opposite Side Of Twin Sister Against Wake Forest

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sarah Bayer

Maycee Bell

Isabel Cox

Julia Dorsey

Aleigh Gambone

Tori Hansen

Rachel Jones

Marz Josephson

Hallie Klanke

Libby Moore

Emily Moxley

Maggie Pierce

Madi Pry

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