Julia and Lydia Ward were always teammates on the lacrosse field. It was an easy decision for them to go from playing for John Carroll to attending Maryland.
Due to their fraternal twin status, Lydia and Julia possess a degree of telepathy when they are in close proximity.
In their early middle school years, the twins discovered that by playing for the Sky Walkers club team in Maryland six days a week and putting in enough effort, they could potentially compete in NCAA Division I. This idea became even more certain when they were chosen to join the USA Select Under-18 girls’ team last autumn. The decision to move forward together was never in question.
The memories of playing lacrosse together are deeply ingrained in Lydia and Julia Ward, spanning back beyond their recollection. A photo captures them beaming beside one another, each holding their respective first lacrosse stick: Lydia’s was pink and Julia’s was purple, reflecting their individual preferences and distinguishing them as twins. Their time at John Carroll recently concluded with the Patriots’ loss in the IAAM A Conference playoffs, but their legacies continue and their playing careers will remain intertwined at the next level.
Lydia stated that it is the most adorable photo of the two of them holding their sticks. Julia chimed in by saying that their parents encouraged them to go out and enjoy themselves while learning a new sport.
Lydia, a defensive player, and Julia, a goalkeeper, eventually exchanged their purple and pink uniforms for the colors of John Carroll – black and gold. In the next season, as seniors, they will level up to the red, black, and gold of the University of Maryland. Their strong bond as sisters has been a key factor in their success in lacrosse, as they have worked together hand in hand.
Julia shared, “We faced challenges in our early years prior to having Laura as our coach. Our team has made significant progress this year. That particular game was extremely satisfying to win. And I knew she would be the first one to celebrate with me after the victory.”
Julia has a unique ability to detect when her sister is not performing at her best while playing in the net. Lydia may be experiencing physical discomfort or becoming too self-critical. Despite not being noticeable to others, Julia is able to pick up on these subtle cues.
Julia exclaimed that as soon as she arrived on campus, she knew within the first five minutes that this was the place she wanted to be and play lacrosse. She felt fortunate to have Lydia by her side and being a Terp feels like a dream come true.
After being approached by Maryland, the choice was an easy one. Since they were young and playing with pink and purple sticks, the sisters had been avid followers of Terps lacrosse, both through television and in person.
Their most cherished memory from four years at John Carroll occurred recently. In a double-overtime game against St. Paul’s, the Patriots emerged victorious with a score of 8-7. Junior midfielder Grace Marchetti scored the winning goal, leading to a joyous celebration with her teammates. However, Lydia made a swift return to embrace Julia, who had made an impressive 13 saves during the intense game.When they practice together at home, Julia always has someone to practice shooting against her. Although a misfired ball might stir an argument, they always fizzle quickly to laughs. Their dad, Brian, a former national champion at Salisbury University, is often the extra practice player and mediator, too.
In a 2021 match, Lydia Ward from John Carroll faced off against Delaney Brimhall from St. Mary’s, with Madigan Brewer as the goalie. (Photo from file)
They have been using the field together for recreational, club, and high school lacrosse and have no plans of stopping.
Julia explained that twins may struggle to have a good relationship or may clash with one another, but she and Lydia have a strong sisterly bond. They may have disagreements, but they quickly make up and can even find humor in the situation. This dynamic carries over onto the sports field, and Julia feels lucky to be able to play alongside her sister, who is also her best friend.
When Lydia and Julia were young, Lydia joined the “B” soccer team while Julia joined the “A” team. As a result, Julia played with the “B” team in order to play alongside her sister.
Laura Seifert, coach of the Patriots, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with these two individuals. They possess a strong work ethic and consistently demonstrate exceptional performance. They play a vital role on the team as key impact players.
Lydia’s sister is praised as an exceptional leader. Without Julia’s strong direction as the goalie, the Patriots’ defense would fall apart. In return, Julia refers to Lydia as the most determined player she has ever encountered. “She would truly sacrifice herself for a lacrosse game,” Julia stated. “She would go to great lengths for her team.”
Lydia and Julia conducted separate college visits as a trial. They thought it might be the moment to go their separate ways. On the contrary, Lydia broke down in tears throughout her visit. “I realized I couldn’t go through with this without Julia,” Lydia expressed.
It is common for twins to eventually develop different interests or desire independence. However, Lydia and Julia have always been exceptionally close, often claiming to have been best friends since birth.
The post Julia and Lydia Ward were always teammates on the lacrosse field. It was an easy decision for them to go from playing for John Carroll to attending Maryland. appeared first on Americano Sports.
Entre Ríos Judo Union Dominates Tournament with Gold Medals – Argentine Judo Championships Recap
Precisely, the main medals went to Cinthia Fernández De Carli from Colon and Roxana Vega from Concord.The tournament had the participation of the 25 Argentine Judo Federations, plus a Uruguayan…
The post Entre Ríos Judo Union Dominates Tournament with Gold Medals – Argentine Judo Championships Recap appeared first on 247sports News.
