There are four sets of siblings on the team, and 15 of the 25 members are related to at least one other player on the team.
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Every coach's dream is to have a team that gets along well, a team that not only has a bond with the coach but with each other. A team with strong bonds on the field and court. A team with a family-like atmosphere.
But the Aleman women's soccer team is even closer than you think.
There are four sets of sisters on the national team. Of the 25 players on the national roster, 15 are related to at least one other player on the team. Throw in a few more relatives of the father-daughter duo among the team and coaching staff, and it couldn't be more like family.
“Fortunately, they come into the program as a family with very strong ties,” head coach Randy Bolman said. “And that's reflected on the field as well. Some of our players don't even have sisters playing on the national team, but what's interesting is that they help their younger brothers to get better.” Please become a representative someday.”
The team chemistry is exceptional, but it didn't always start out that way. Having so many relatives on one team came with some growing pains.
“We didn’t get along at all before,” junior Emma Kramer said.
“Before he started playing soccer, he used to fight a lot,” said his sister Eliza Kramer. “But like now, we're like best friends. We do everything together.”
And the Kramer family is not alone in this situation.
“We had a little bit of a period of bickering, like being teenagers or something,” senior Mackenzie Burkett said. “But we started playing on the same team and stuff, and we're really good friends now. I consider her my best friend. I don't know if she's the same way.”
“Yes, that's right,” said Mackenzie's sister, Alexis Burkett.
There are many moments of inspiration and love between a pair of sisters playing the same sport together. Older people become role models for younger people. Young people are proud of older people. Many sisters said that moment was some of their favorite memories of playing soccer with their younger sister.
“I remember when I was little, every time we played, I would make sure Kenzie was there watching,” Alexis said. “That motivated me, as it always did, and now I'm playing in the team. I remember the game where I scored my first goal. Kensi came and she gave me a big hug.
“That was also one of my favorite scenes and a proud moment for me as a sister,” Mackenzie said.
“Actually, it happened last year when we were taking penalties to get to the state finals,” Eliza said. “and [Emma] She was nervous about me and cried during me. And it warmed her heart to know that she cared about me. Because I was really nervous. And she seemed to be crying for me. ”
It goes beyond the sport of soccer for a pair of brothers. Fourth-grader Claire Hulk and his sophomore Megan Hulk play volleyball, basketball, and soccer together.
“Well, I think there's obviously going to be ups and downs,” Claire said. “We had little arguments here and there. We definitely spent a lot of time with each other. We rode in the car a lot. It was really nice to have that feeling throughout high school.”
Playing those sports together brought them even closer to each other.
The whole concept of the Aleman soccer team is the same. While it strengthens the bond between brothers, it also has a huge impact on the bond within the team itself.
“I think it definitely helped us bond better, as well as the other girls on the team,” senior Emma Schrake said. “I mean, for the team, it might be difficult to build bonds with each other, but for us, everything is very easy because we are all sisters or blood relatives.”
Some of Aleman's players say they feel a connection with their sister on the field, so much so that they can tell where she is when they play. Eliza described having a “special feeling” towards her sister. The Kramers acknowledged how much that bond helps each other and how it impacts the team.
Being as close as this group of pioneers, especially during their formative years, not only makes for better playing, but also brings a lot of memories along with it.
“When we were little, we always let her play goalie,” Emma said of her younger sister Lily. “So I was always shooting at her, and sometimes it wouldn't hit the target and it would hit her in the face, her face, her stomach. That's probably it.”
The Kramers say their biggest memory is of their father, who influenced their love of soccer.
“We were young and one day, when I was 3 and she was 2, he set it up like one of those little goals outside and taught us how to kick the ball. '' said Eliza. “There's this little pink ball. And, yeah, he coached us and did rec and stuff. He kind of started our love for soccer.”
Coach Bollman had a similar influence on his daughter, Emily Bollman.
Emily is the coach of the junior varsity women's soccer team at Aleman College. Emily grew up playing for her father who always coached her and her love for soccer blossomed.
“I think he was always there for me and after games and after training sessions, especially when I was younger and growing up, I was able to get critiques and help after training, not necessarily criticism.” “I started learning,” Emily said. “I’m glad I was able to do that and feel the joy of soccer again.”
It meant just as much to her father.
“It was a good experience from start to finish,” Randy said. “And my ultimate goal for every player I coach is for them to stay and do something in soccer after they're done playing at a competitive level. So I hope my daughter continues to do that.” It’s rewarding to see that.”
The ties in this family of Alemão footballers are clearly deep, but they wouldn't have it any other way.
“Every time we step out on the field together, it's like a family reunion,” Randy said. “I mean, they're good friends, but they get into little fights on the football field, too. It's kind of funny to see that. But it's just coming together. Most coaches I think he wants his team to be a good team.''Family. “
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