Daniels Brother-Sister Duo Net Goal on Same Day
Urbana siblings share same last name and love of soccer
By Jessica Fallen- Urbana University Sports Information Intern
Several athletes dream of playing a sport at the collegiate level. Not all can make it to the next level, so it’s rare to have two siblings both make the jump from high school athletics. Even rarer is siblings playing at the same college. The Blue Knights boast a sibling connection. The brother and sister duo of Will and M.E. Daniels, of Lake Orion, Mich., not only share a last name, but also both play for Urbana University’s soccer programs.

And now they share another kind of bond. The two scored their first goals of the 2007 season on the same day. M.E., a freshman midfielder on the Blue Knight women’s soccer team, scored the first goal of her career in a 6-0 win over Rio Grande on Sept. 29, and Will, a junior defender and co-captain on the men’s team, scored Urbana’s lone goal in a 3-1 loss to the perennial power Redmen – the second goal of his career.

“Scoring the goal was exciting for me. I can’t remember the last time I scored a goal and that was my first here,” said M.E. “It was also really nice to have Will here to see it and for him to have scored on the same day as well.”

Will is a two-time all-American Mideast Conference defender for the Blue Knights.

“Will is a smart player. Physically, he brings size and strength. He is a very mature person on and off the field and he demonstrates a lot of leadership,” said men’s soccer head coach Jeremy Parkins.

M.E. has started five games and played in all 12 for the Blue Knight women’s team, which owns a 10-2 overall record and is ranked fourth in NAIA Region IX. In addition to her goal, M.E. also has an assist to her credit.

M.E. is a strong player according to the head coach of the Urbana women’s soccer program, Jim Wendling. “She has speed down the right flank, good crossing ability and good technical skills with the ball. Plus, she is a very intelligent young lady.”

Will played a part in his sister getting recognized as a possible recruit.

“He told us about his sister, who he thought was pretty good,” said Wendling. “We got in contact with her and offered her a scholarship. I would have never known about her without Will.”

However big brother did not influence M.E.’s final decision at all. “For the most part I let her make the decision herself. If she had any questions I answered them and helped her out; but it was ultimately her decision.”

M.E. said that she chose Urbana because of its soccer program and because she wanted to attend a smaller school.

“They are both great students, and hard workers. They have great personalities and believe that team comes first,” said Wendling. “They are good friends and they help each other out.”

As all big brothers are Will is protective of his baby sister.

“I do enjoy having her here, it gives me a little more responsibility to look out for her, and I like that,” he said.

He may be a little overprotective of her, but M.E. knows that her brother is there to help her when she needs it.

“He’s protective but not too protective. I still have freedom,” said M.E. “It’s also nice because if I need anything I know he is here to help me out.”

Parkins having siblings in the same program has two sides. “It’s easier on their parents. It allows them to support one another and they have a connection. In the same respect they also have to put up with one another.”

M.E. and Will’s parents are Riley and Jennifer Daniels of Lake Orion, Mich., located nearly four hours away from Urbana, Ohio.

[Back to Urbana University Men's Soccer ]