Sisters at Judge Memorial CHS are top-scoring players for the Bulldogs’ varsity soccer team

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SALT LAKE CITY — This year Judge Memorial Catholic High School’s girls soccer experienced a power duo in the form of sisters Addie and Lily Wikstrom, who were both starters for the varsity team. The two tied for points with 33 each; Lily, 15, a freshman, finished #2 in region 14 while Addie, 17, a senior, was #3.

Although both sisters have played soccer since they were 3, this is the first time they have played on the same team, said Aly Wikstrom, the girls’ mother and former coach.

“It’s been so fun; it’s just neat to see,” she said of her daughters’ interactions on the team. “Their dynamics kind of come together on the field, and they got really close, just personally and socially. Without playing together ever [before], they had great chemistry on the team and were leaders.”

Both girls also play club soccer for Utah Soccer Alliance. Addie, who was a Bulldogs team captain this year, generally plays on the wing or as center forward; she played for Judge all four years of her high school career and has committed to play Division 1 soccer next year at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where she plans to study marketing.

“I love the sport, obviously,” she said of her devotion to soccer. “But I also like the community it creates; I’ve made all my best friends through soccer. And I think it’s a very healthy environment, in a way, to play; it’s a way to do something you love.”

Although the Bulldogs lost to Canyon View 1-0 in the state 3A quarterfinals, it was fun to be part of Judge’s varsity team this year, said Lily, who generally plays midfield. “I’m really glad I got the opportunity to play as a freshman, and it was definitely different – a high school season, all the girls, the environment – and I thought it was just really fun overall being able to be on varsity.”

 Addie paved the way for her younger sister to be welcomed and accepted by fellow team members, their mother said. “Lily kind of had a natural in with both the seniors and the other players, which was great, because sometimes you could be threatened by someone that’s young and good, and they all just embraced her and took her leadership.”

Sharing the limelight with her sister wasn’t difficult, Addie said. “We got competitive, but it was really cool because a lot of her goals were from me, and my goals were from her.”

During her own freshman year, Addie felt welcomed by the other team members, she said. “Obviously, I would want that for my sister too because she’s one of my closest friends, and I think having been close to of all my friends and been included in everything will build up her confidence and she’ll have a better season.”

Their experience on the team has brought the girls closer to each other, Aly Wikstrom said. “Lily said that just going to school and having that soccer experience together, she feels like she’s gotten so much closer to her sister.”

“I just felt like playing freshman year with my sister was really fun, and it was a cool experience that I didn’t want to pass up,” said Lily, who plans to continue playing for Judge and hopes the Bulldogs will do even better next season. “I think that with all the work we put in this year, and how far we got this year, that next year we can even step it up and we can get farther.”