Suns Soccer Sisters Kickin' it to Higher Note

By Jim McCurdy

Shakira and Princess Morales will forever be linked to the blast from the past.

When the two Dallas College Cedar Valley women's soccer players suited up in high school together, Princess, a goalkeeper, was ready to punt a ball from her box. Shakira, her older sister defender, was surveying the field as their team prepared to go on the offensive.

"There was a strong wind that day," Shakira began. "She punted really strong. I didn't notice, but I went back to her. I just saw the ball right into my face, and it hit me bad in the eye to the point where I almost passed out, and I just fell to the ground."

Princess was speechless. The game went on. That didn't matter. She just black-eyed her sister.

"I didn't care (about leaving the goal empty)," she confessed. "I just started running toward her, trying to see if she was OK. My coach was telling me, 'Go back, go back.' I was like, 'No, I need to see if she's OK.' They just kept playing. My dad was like, 'Shakira, you need to get out of her way. What were you doing?' I thought he was going to get mad at me because I hit her, but he was just mad at her because she was in my way, supposedly."

Defending each other

That's true sisterhood. One for the other. Always looking out for one they love the most. Now they're bonded as Suns teammates for their one chance at college soccer together.

"I think it's been amazing so far, but I think it's been better ever since my sister joined the team," Shakira said. "It's been 10 times better now since we're playing together side-by-side. She's right behind me, and I'm right in front of her."

That's just it. They have each other's back in everything they do. On the pitch, Princess is the Suns' last line of defense. Shakira, who started as a defender in 10 of the 13 games she played in last season as Cedar Valley won its first game in four years and first postseason contest in 13 years, is the linchpin who separates opposing goal scorers from her sister.

That's a predicament she's well aware of, and she understands the importance of the role she plays in it.

"It's kind of scary, but at the same time I've played with her before, like in high school, and I know that she's got it," Shakira said.

Goal preventing or not, these are days they are soaking up, knowing that playing at the junior college level is a short window.

"It's a very special opportunity," Princess said. "We've always talked about this, too, because not a lot of sisters, they don't get along or they're not close like we are. But since our ages are so close, we just bond so easily. Also, we played together during high school, and when she left, I didn't do that great because she wasn't there. But I feel like I'll do better this season."

The Morales sisters also sing together every Sunday during mass at St. Jude Catholic Church in Mansfield. There, they also represent the junior council together. They play the bass and guitar. They perform at weddings and funerals. They're even working on their own original Spanish duet out of a home studio for a song they hope to eventually release.

"That's how we also became more closer, as with God," Princess explained, thoughts circulating of singing in church. "We also have a bond in music, not just on the field."

Kicking it on a high note

It is a bond that isn't strictly wrapped up in material illusions, but an opportunity to spend more time together.

Well … that depends on who you ask.

Shakira and Princess, what do you want out of your music aspirations?

"I guess that we would just create more memories, that we would create something new," said Shakira, who is pursuing a career in recording technology or audio engineering. "Something that we may never know in the future. Maybe it could become something big or maybe it could just become something fun. You never know."

Princess, who is chasing a degree in computer science, on the other hand, has visions of grandeur.

"Maybe to do a really big show," she said. "To get known."

Suns second-year head coach John Antonisse can attest to their musical talents. He's heard them perform.

"I actually have," he said. "Matter of fact, I heard them when I was recruiting Shakira last year. When I recruit, I ask the kids and the parents a lot of questions about themselves. In the process, her dad said, 'Shakira and Princess, they perform at church.' And I was like, 'Oh, that's interesting.' And then he showed me a video. They actually have several videos out there, doing a duo in church. It's really good. They sang really pretty, really nice. Their music future is probably pretty bright."

One thing is for certain. The Suns are starting to make a name for themselves on the field. A week into the season, they picked up two wins, outscoring opponents, 13-1, to garner attention in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III rankings.

"I love the new teammates from this year," Shakira said. "They're fun, they're exciting, they're very talented. I love playing with them, and I have so much confidence in them. So I say my teammates and my coach, Coach John."

When Antonisse was recruiting Shakira a year ago, Princess joined her older sister on the visit. When he turned his focus to Princess this offseason, Shakira wanted to be a part of it.

"They're very close," Antonisse said. "It's just a big deal for their family. They both have great character. Their family is a great character family. They're great to have on the team, and they're great to coach. I never have to worry about them. They do things the right way."

Princess had reservations entering the season, stepping on to a college stage as a freshman keeper. But now she is more comfortable, having settled in between the posts after a couple games. She opened the season with a 2-0 record, 1.00 goals against average, .750 saves percentage and a combined shutout. It was a shutout Shakira pitched in to keep Trinity Valley Community College off the board in a 4-0 win.

All of this gave their coach reaffirmation that he landed the two sisters for good reason.

"They're athletic, and they just really work hard," Antonisse said. "Their ceiling is way, way high. They're going to continue to get better as time goes on."

Singing in church, singing in their room, singing on the soccer field. For these two, it's just the time together that has a nice melody. Heck, they're likely to sing together on their daily post-practice trips to the convenience store to grab a drink on the scorching hot North Texas summer days.

A cool drink with your sister and that time together is, well … sweet.

Pretty much music to your ears.