Twin sisters, rival teams
By Dorian Lawson Campus Press Staff Writer
Sophomore Nikki Keller is the fourth leading scorer on the CU soccer team, and her twin sister Jessica plays for CU’s in-state rival, University of Denver.
The two Colorado natives played together for over 13 years, but they agreed to would play for different collegiate teams. Even though she has more than a decade of soccer under her belt, Nikki admits that Division I ball sets a different pace.
“College is a lot more competitive. Your team is more reliable and you’re constantly having to work hard everyday,” Nikki Keller said. “It’s a lot more fun, I think.”
Despite the increased intensity, Nikki had a strong freshman season and was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer team last year.
Although she enjoys playing against her sister, Nikki still prefers to play on the same team as Jessica because their playing styles are so similar.
“I know exactly how she plays and she knows exactly how I play, so it’s really easy to read each other,” Nikki said. “It’s really hard when you have to play against her.”
Both sisters considered attending DU, but there were many reasons CU was more attractive to Nikki.
“The team’s great, Boulder’s gorgeous, the school’s good,” Nikki said. “And I like the big school. That was kind of a downfall of DU to me.”
Nikki, a midfielder, has two goals and four assists this season. Jessica, a defender, has one goal and five assists. Both have played nine games.
The girls’ parents are still supportive of their daughters’ soccer career, and both attended the Sept. 15 game against DU in Boulder.
“They wear neutral colors, and my dad sits at the half line the whole entire game,” Nikki said. “They don’t really cheer much. They just sit there in silence.”
CU won that game 1-0 and remains undefeated at home this year.
