The Dundore sisters were destined to become soccer players. Their mother grew up playing soccer in her native Honduras, and their father also played in his youth. Plus their older brother started the trend that they would follow.
But playing collegiate soccer together for the same school was something the three sisters didn’t think was in the cards.
Grace said she never thought about playing soccer in college until her oldest sister, Lisa, got a soccer scholarship to Judson College in Marion. But this past season, Lisa, Emily and Grace shared the field as players for the Judson soccer team, and all three said they enjoyed the unique experience.
“It makes me feel great, because I know I have two people who will always build me up or help me if I’m doing something wrong,” said Grace, a freshman midfielder. “It’s kind of a team within a team.”
Emily, a junior fullback, agreed. “It’s definitely been a blessing to have both my sisters here at school with me,” she said. “Not many people get the opportunity to go to school with their siblings. (When) I found out Lisa was going there, Judson was at the top of the list.”
Lisa, a senior forward, was a member of Judson’s first soccer team. When she graduates this spring, she’ll be part of the first class of four-year soccer players, something coach Ken Headley calls “a mark in school history.” In fact, Lisa has set a number of school records that have really set the bar high, Headley said.
“The program has grown tremendously,” Lisa said. “The first year I played we only won one game. The second year, we went to nationals. We’ve been kind of close getting to nationals since then. Skillwise we’ve grown, and that helps attract girls to the team.”
Headley has been coaching at Judson for only a few months, but because of his background as a referee, he had the opportunity to see the Dundores play a few times prior to becoming their coach.
“It’s amazing how different the girls are,” Headley said. “There are some similarities between Lisa and Grace, but mostly they’re kind of each individually different, and their personalities fit with the positions they play on the field.”
As he sees it, Lisa is an assertive player but tends to be a little more laid back as a person. Emily is a “calm, cool and collected” player and doesn’t let things get through the back line. Grace is a calculating player and the quietest of the three.
The Dundores have brought a wonderful dynamic to the team and made everyone feel more united, Headley said.
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