Sports at SIUE slowly becoming a family affair |
Branden Peterson |
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SIUE sports has become a family tradition. There are five sets of siblings playing SIUE sports this season. The men's soccer team alone has three pairs of siblings. Matt and Brian Horan have been playing soccer together most of their lives. "I've played with him my whole life so I came here to play with him," Brian Horan said. Matt Horan, a sophomore, started every game for the Cougars this season. Brian Horan, a freshman, played in 17 games for SIUE. Josh and Bret Richardson are another set of brothers on the men's soccer team. The twins were All-Conference at Mount Vernon High School in Indiana. Josh Richardson was Most Valuable Player and All-Conference at Mount Vernon as a midfielder. Bret Richardson was also All-Conference at Mount Vernon and an Academic All-Stater in goal. While Josh Richardson saw limited time on the field for SIUE this season, Bret Richardson took over the No. 1 goalkeeper spot late in the season for the Cougars. Justin and Sean Huneke are two brothers who have deeper ties than the other siblings on the men's team. Edwardsville High School graduates freshman Sean Huneke and junior Justin Huneke are also the coach's sons. For Sean Huneke, having his older brother playing here helped him adapt to college soccer. "My brother taught me a lot about college soccer," Sean Huneke said. "He made it easier." For head coach Ed Huneke, having his sons play for him is a great pleasure that sometimes requires him to be reserved when his sons do well. "It is a nice feeling having two of my sons out there on the team and especially when they play well," Ed Huneke said. But the Hunekes playing at SIUE also has its benefits. "I feel fortunate to see all their games, which wasn't always the case with their high school games because I was so busy with college soccer," Ed Huneke said. Michelle and Melissa Montgomery make up the family ties on the women's side. Both graduated from Granite City High School. Michelle Montgomery is one of three seniors on this year's team and has put together a solid career. She is 17th on the all-time scoring list at SIUE with 42 points. "She has always been more of a quiet leader," women's soccer coach Brian Korbesmeyer said. "She will be missed next season." Melissa Montgomery, a sophomore, started 19 games for the Lady Cougars this season, dishing out three assists. "Missy is more of a fiery competitor than her sister," Korbesmeyer said. "She is more vocal on the field." Soccer isn't the only sport with family ties on campus. Liz and Stosha DeShasier are two sisters who may not play the same sport, but the family ties are still strong. Liz DeShasier plays for the SIUE women's basketball team. She played in 16 games last season for the Lady Cougars and looks to get more time this season. Stosha DeShasier is a transfer from the University of Southern Indiana. She played two years of collegiate basketball at Southern Indiana and transferred to SIUE to play volleyball. She has racked up 178 kills this season while playing in 28 matches. These players prove that no matter what sport you play or where you go to college, it can always be a "family thing." | |