Harbor Springs' Lilly, Sophie Barnadyn perfect examples of captain's band – Petoskey News-Review

HARBOR SPRINGS — When you’re watching the Harbor Springs girls soccer team, it might feel like you’re seeing Sophie and Lilly Barnadyn all across the field. 
Taking corner kicks up top, setting up a teammate in front of the goal, chasing opponents from the midfield or thwarting away opportunities from the backline. 
Heck, Monday you could even look back and see Sophie in goal.
While the position might change for the two senior twin sisters, highlighting each’s versatility, the one part that doesn’t change all across the field is that captain’s band they wear. 
“It’s different,” Sophie said on looking around and being one of the few veteran players now. “It’s a good different. It’s kind of sad seeing our season almost come to an end but it’s important to lead the team.”
The two have been making an impact on the Rams’ soccer team for four years now, though by the end of the week, more than half of their final regular season will be gone. 
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For Lilly, the old vet part is different, too, but the leadership side of it has been nothing new. 
“I feel like we’ve been leaders since the beginning,” she said. “Not freshman year or anything, but junior year.”
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Over the past two years, what the Rams have been – despite an extremely young team both years – winners more than anything. Since 2025, Harbor is 22-3-1, with a 6-0-1 record that grew Monday, April 27 when the No. 4 ranked Rams earned a 4-0 win over Boyne City. 
The sisters have been on some special Harbor teams. Ones that have earned a district title, made a run to a regional final and earned an unbeaten conference title. 
This year’s squad might be the best yet. 
“Honestly, we’re all really close,” Sophie said. “It’s such a good environment and everyone is nice to each other. We bond outside of soccer.”
With young teams, and young players stealing the spotlight at times, that kind of bond only happens when the direction from the top leads the way. 
The Barnadyn girls have been willing to do it all on the field and it’s showing up in results. 
Over a recent four-game shutout stretch, where the Rams have beaten opponents by a combined 28-0, both have hit an uptick in finding the back of the net. 
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Over that stretch, Sophie has notched four goals and three assists, scoring a pair last week against Kingsley. Lilly, who traditionally plays more back, has scored four goals and added two assists. 
After Sophie’s two-goal game a week ago, Lilly couldn’t be outdone by her sister, scoring a pair herself Monday. 
“It felt good,” Lilly said with a big smile. “I’ve been playing up a lot lately recently and it’s been nice to actually be up that close.”
Scoring overall has been up for the Rams, with junior returning all-state forward Stefi Reskevics stepping up her game yet again, then the emergence of freshman Maeve Riley has also been key. 
“It’s nice to have a freshman also step up and take that role,” Lilly said, again showing that leadership. “We lost a few players last year, so it’s nice to have a freshman just come up and take that.”
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The two are also happy to know players like Riley will be around to continue what they’ve been a part of in Harbor Springs. 
“It’s good to know she’ll grow and we’ll be gone and they’ll still have players to keep the team going,” Sophie added. 
Before both are gone, there’s plenty of unfinished business ahead, beginning with a visit from league rival and No. 8 ranked Elk Rapids, who they tied with 1-1 earlier this month. 
An outright title likely can’t be had without a victory Thursday, April 30 at Ottawa Stadium. 
“Coach has been preparing us for it,” Lilly said. “It’s a big one for sure.”
Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochanny

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