Twin sisters Emily and Gabby Byorth are both key players for Clemson women's soccer.
For the first 21-plus years of their lives, Gabby and Emily Byorth have done just about everything together.
The twin sisters from Dublin, Ohio, are both fourth-year health science majors at Clemson University, where they are defenders for the Tigers women’s soccer team.
Both have seen regular playing time for the Tigers since they were freshmen, while they have also been consistently high achievers in the classroom.
Coming out of high school, Gabby was a more highly touted recruit than Emily. Radwanski says he was equally interested in both sisters. The Byorth twins wanted to go to the same college, and they both fell in love with the family atmosphere at Clemson.
“Looking back on it now, it’s like why did we ever look at other schools?” Emily said.
As close as the Byorth sisters are, there are some differences between them.
While Gabby has always been a defender, Emily began her Clemson career as a midfielder and has moved between positions throughout her career.
The Byorths say Gabby is the more outgoing member of the pair, while Emily is more reserved. Radwanski says their personalities have both evolved over the course of their time as Tigers.
Differences aside, the Byorths believe they have each made each other better as they have developed over the course of their careers at Clemson.
Like the rest of their 11-member senior class, the Byorths share a common goal for this season: Win the ACC championship and compete for a national championship at the College Cup.
“I think we’ve made a point of it this season too just to have fun, and enjoy it while we’re here, and enjoy the people we’re with,” Gabby said.
Both Gabby and Emily, who plan to pursue careers in physical therapy, remain undecided on whether they will first attempt to play professional soccer — or whether they will both make the same decision.
Radwanski believes the Byorths, who participated in training camp with the U.S. under-23 women’s national team this spring, both have the ability to play professionally should they choose to do so.