Twin win for Rockets
SLIPPERY ROCK — Abby and Ben Magliocca have been playing soccer since they were nearly 4 years old.
The Slippery Rock twins were teammates on the soccer pitch until they were 10.
And now, as they star for their respective Slippery Rock High soccer teams, they share a bond that goes far beyond goals and assists.
“I think it's one of the greatest things we can share,” Abby Magliocca said. “We're each other's biggest fans and we help each other.”
And they are helping their teams.
The seniors are both captains for the second consecutive season and are both center-midfielders.
Abby has helped the Rockets to a 7-4 overall record and a 3-1 mark in the region. Ben has helped the boy's team to a 7-3 overall mark and a 4-1 record in the region.
“Abby has been a captain both years I've been the coach,” said Slippery Rock girls soccer coach Melanie Roczko. “She's definitely a leader on the field. She's there early before practice and stays late after practice. She'll definitely be missed.
“I don't even want to think about next year without her,” Roczko added. “I get weak in the stomach when I think about a season without Abby.”
Slippery Rock boys coach Kyle Hopkins gets a similar uneasy feeling when he thinks about not having Ben Magliocca next season.
“He has a knowledge of the game,” Hopkins said. “He has the desire.”
That desire for both siblings came from their father, Michael, who got them involved in soccer at such an early age.
Once the twins began playing the sport and playing it well, that was it for them. There was no other sport.
“We were the ones who got our friends interested in soccer,” Ben Magliocca said. “It's always been a challenge and we both like the challenge.”And they both like watching each other play.They aren't shy about doling out advice once their matches are over.“We understand the criticism is constructive,” Abby Magliocca said. “We just want to help each other get better.”Despite playing the same position, Ben Magliocca said he and his sister's style of play are a bit dissimilar.“We're both different in a lot of ways,” Ben said. “I have height and I'm physically stronger. Abby is smaller, but she has definitely mastered her footwork and technique.”Personality-wise, the two are very similar, Abby said, with one notable exception.“He's a bit more relaxed than me,” Abby said, laughing. “I'm more uptight.”They both want to continue playing soccer in college, but not necessarily at the same school.Their desired majors are also quite different: Ben wants to pursue psychology while Abby wants to study National Security and Intelligence.“I like solving puzzles,” Abby said. “And I thought solving crimes would be a pretty constructive way to pursue that.”Whatever happens in their future, Abby and Ben Magliocca are enjoying their present.And their shared love of soccer.“It is pretty unique,” Ben Magliocca said. “It's great to be able to share the love of soccer with her.”
