'Sisters' share love of soccer

 By Glen Miller/The Mustang News

Being close friends for longer than either can remember, Mustang High School grads Cassie Tyler and Kristen Brown have become sisters of a sort — both sharing a strong love for the sport of soccer.

That love will carry each to the college level next  season, with Tyler headed for Nebraska and York College, while Brown will stay closer to home at Oklahoma Christian University.

But before they part ways, the two will take the field together for Saturday night’s Oklahoma Soccer Coaches Association’s All-State game in Bixby.

“Kristen is one of my best friends and it will be fun getting one last chance to play with her,” said Tyler.

Brown mirrors those feelings.

“I’ve been working out this summer with Cassie, running and lifting weights and trying to get ready for college. It will help having her there. We are both on the same page, we are like sisters,” said Brown.

While excited to be playing together once again, both players feel a sense of sadness about ending their high school careers.

“I guess it will be the last time for us to play together before we go off to college,” said Brown. “We have played together for a long time and I’m still hoping she’ll change her mind and come back closer to home. It’s sort of sad and I will miss her.”

The chances of the two meeting on the soccer field in college will be remote, even though both colleges play on the NAIA level.

“We won’t get a chance to play each other in college because the two schools are in different conferences,” said Tyler.

But they will stay in tough.

“It will be long distance, but that’s okay, I’ve got free night and weekends,” joked Brown.

Staying in tough is what both players hope to do in Saturday’s all-state outing – both as midfielders. Brown was the top scorer for Mustang this season, rolling in eight goals and assisting on four others. While she would like to make it nine goals, Brown admits the outing is not a must-win situation for the West.

“I’m taking it serious and I want to go out there and do my best,” said Brown. “If we lose it’s not the end of the world, but I would be happier if we won.”

Tyler agrees.

“I think this is a good opportunity for us to play with the girls that we’ve played with on club teams for all those years growing up,” said Tyler. “Plus we get to play with those girls we’ve gone against that are very good. I want to go out here and play my best and have a really good game, but have some fun doing it.”

Tyler added that the experience would be complete with a goal. She scored only three times during her senior season and logged one assist.

“That would make the experience worth wild,” said Tyler. “It’s happened before and I’ve done it, so we will have to wait and see.”

Both Tyler and Brown will have to get used to the fact that playing time Saturday night could be at a premium considering the talent level on the West team.

“I guess it doesn’t matter if I start or not, as long as I get to play,” said Tyler. “I would like to start, but I just want to go out and play. But there are a whole bunch of girls out there that are good.

Saturday’s march begins at 6 p.m.