TABERNACLE — Savanna and Vienna Fries have a strong connection that shows on the soccer field.
But their on-field chemistry has only been on display the last two seasons.
Savanna, a senior on the Our Lady of Mercy Academy soccer team, and Vienna, a sophomore, had never been on the same team until last fall, when the siblings were the top scorers and points leaders for the Villagers.
Savanna and Vienna have played soccer for a long time, and both were eager to finally play alongside each other. And this fall could be their last as teammates.
“For two years, we have been playing soccer together. It’s truly been amazing,” said Savanna, 17, of Hammonton. “I love playing with my sister. It’s something I’ve never done before, so I feel like, on the field, we have a great connection.
“I feel like we really motivate and push each other, outside and in soccer.”
Savanna and Vienna train with each other outside of practices, “wanting to get better together,” Savanna said.
The already are six games into their season, so the sisters are soaking in each moment they have together on the field.
“We have a really good connection on the field. We pass to each other all the time and do good,” Vienna, 14, said.
“We work for each other,” Savanna added.
Leading OLMA
Last season, OLMA won the Cape-Atlantic League Nation Division title. Savanna led the Villagers with 24 goals and 52 points. Vienna was second with 12 goals and 33 points.
Savanna has 49 goals and 110 points in her OLMA career, one of the best in the history of the program. She has started since she was a freshman.
They again lead the Villagers in goals and points this season. Vienna has four goals and 10 points, Savanna has three goals and seven points.
“Savanna is obviously our captain. She has been one of our best players her whole career here,” OLMA coach Sean Alford said.
“Everyone knows we kind of go as they take us. We have other girls, for sure, that can step up and support both of them, but they are definitely team leaders.”
Vienna is on track to be a four-year starter, as well.
“We are going to look right to her to continue to take the steps forward and not necessarily fill her sister’s shoes, but maybe take it above and beyond her sister, which is a tough task. But I know she is up for it.
They have talent
For the last eight years, Savanna and Vienna have competed for the South Jersey Elite Barons, a youth developmental program that features some of the top players in the area. The club is based in Pitman, Gloucester County, and gets these top athletes recognized through nationwide showcases and tournaments.
Both sisters played in the Gothia Cup in Sweden last year. It is one of the largest world youth soccer tournaments, featuring more than 1,700 teams from across the world. They played in a tournament in California in June and another in Virginia in July.
Savanna has had NCAA Division II offers, and recently made a few college trips.
“I am hoping to continue in college. I have been playing in SJEB since I was younger, and that really helped my growth, my skill level and my game IQ,” Savanna said.
“Then coming to OLMA really helped me build my confidence.”
Vienna and her SJEB 16-and-under team will compete in the Girls Academy Championship Cup on Dec. 4 in California. The U.S. Soccer Federation’s talent identification team has identified her three times this year.
“It really helped me for high school and just made me a better player,” Vienna said.
Alford said the Fries sisters have given OLMA “some of the best years ever.”
“Just the results and everything speak for themselves,” he added. “We are such a small school and moving up (to the top division in the CAL with the. top teams, they are a part of it and a reason as to why we are here. Hopefully girls will see that and want to live up to it.”
‘We work together’
OLMA has five seniors and a lot of sophomores and freshmen, so Savanna has a special role this season. She remembers being a freshman and looking up to the seniors.
“So it’s really exciting to be able to lead by example and guide and motivate the team, like they did for me,” Savanna said. “It’s really cool being with my sister because we lead and communicate with the other teammates on the field.”
Vienna said Savanna “motivates her.”
“All of her friends motivate me. We have a good bond,” the younger sibling said.
But they also motivate each other. One could be having a great game, and the other wants to step up. But no matter what happens, they are still grateful and support each other, Savanna said.
“People kind of take it as a competition between us, but it’s not. It’s never been a competition,” Savanna said.
Vienna agreed.
“Yeah, we work together,” she said.
Cherishing the moment
Savanna and Vienna will miss playing with each other next year, but the last two years will have created memories they cherish forever.
“I really enjoyed it,” Vienna said. “We have a really good connection. I’ll miss her next year. We just have a really good bond with each other.”
Added Savanna: “I’ll for sure miss it. Starting my college career, if I do go, and she will still be here. And hopefully having a college career, too, but we will still be there supporting each other. But it will be sad not playing with her in high school anymore because it’s such a fun time.”
Contact Patrick Mulranen: 609-272-7217
PMulranen@pressofac.com
Twitter @ACPressMulranen
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