by Sara Folkestad, UND Athletic Media Relations 

Tennis has the Williams sisters, Hollywood has the Hilton sisters, and the University of North Dakota soccer team has the Zachman sisters.

Kirsten Zachman, a junior forward, and Kelsey Zachman, a freshman midfielder, came from a competitive family and are both competing hard in their first year with the Sioux soccer team.

“At the beginning of the year, we started out strong, fighting for our spots,” Kirsten said. “I've played Division I before, so I know what it's like.”

Kirsten started her college career with the University of Minnesota soccer team before transferring to UND. 

“When Kelsey committed, I thought it would be fun to play with my younger sister,” Kirstin said. “We played club soccer together, and that was a lot of fun. Here, it is very team -riented and I love it.” She also noted some key differences between the soccer program at Minnesota and UND, namely that Minnesota is an established Division I team and UND is just starting out in the transition.

Kelsey admitted falling in love with UND right away. She liked the size of the university, which made it a perfect fit. And then Kirsten made the switch, perfecting the situation further.

“I love it,” Kelsey said. “We played together in high school and club soccer. We've been playing together for years. I can beat up on her at practice. And having her here is very helpful, especially in preseason. I'd have her to talk to when I had questions. My other friends playing soccer at other schools are on their own. She knows the ropes, so I feel I have an advantage.”

In the first year of the Division I transition, the soccer team has been experiencing a tough season, playing many games on the road. However, the sisters maintain an optimistic attitude about the season and what is ahead for Sioux soccer.

“We're always in the games,” Kelsey said. “There's tons of potential there.”

With just six home games this year, lots of traveling can also take its toll on a student-athlete.

“Being a freshman, it's been crazy,” Kirsten said. “You get here and go right into traveling. Every week we've missed 2-3 days of school. It helps to have understanding teachers that make sure you stay on task.”

The Fighting Sioux have definitely faced some tough competition, and had some tough games. Both sisters can agree on the tough opponents, one of which was Weber State, which they faced at the beginning of the season in Utah.

“Weber State was tough,” Kelsey said. “We played well, but they were definitely the best Division I team we've faced this season. Our assistant coach, Rochelle Hoover, played with them. It was a fun game.”

Another team the girls are looking forward to facing again is South Dakota. South Dakota handed the Sioux a 4-2 loss at home, and the last game of the season will be on their home field.

“We're looking for revenge,” Kirsten said. 

UND will have its last home game of the season against the University of Minnesota-Crookston on Wednesday (Oct. 15) at 3 p.m. on Bronson Field It will finish the year on the road against Drake and Creighton before heading down to the season finale at South Dakota. 

“We're hoping for the best for the rest of the season,” Kirsten said. “We want to send the seniors off strong. The seniors are well respected and we want to send them off on a winning streak.”

No matter the outcome, one thing is for certain. You can never take the fight out of the Zachman sisters.