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KayleeStowell
Vincent Dusovic
Sophomore midfielder Kaylee Stowell is one of three sisters in her family actively playing Division I soccer. (Courtesy Vincent Dusovic)

Women's Soccer Pete Janny

Inside the Stowell Bowl: Kaylee Stowell set to square off with twin sister Megan

Kaylee and the Jaspers have had Megan Stowell and the Siena Saints circled on the calendar for a long time


Riverdale, NY – Kaylee Stowell grew up living a life that closely mirrored her twin sister Megan. While nothing could truly drive a wedge between the two of them, the emotions of having to compete against each other are mercurial. The spectacle of family competition will play out on Wednesday when Kaylee and the Jaspers travel north to face Megan and the Siena Saints at 3 PM. 

"I will probably have my eyes closed," their mother Theresa said with a laugh. "I don't think my husband (Jeff) will be nearly as affected." 

The inner workings of Wednesday's match-up date back to the recruiting process two years ago when both twins starred at Arlington High School located outside of Poughkeepsie. Manhattan head coach Brendan Lawler had expressed interest in recruiting Kaylee to Manhattan to help contribute to a midfield corps that prides themselves equally on defense and offense. Fast forward to the present, Kaylee has embraced her clearly defined role in the Jaspers' midfield while showing a knack for doing all the little things.

Meanwhile, Megan was recruited to Siena to headline the Saints' attack, which led to her being named MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2023 and feeling at home in Loudonville.

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Kaylee Stowell (left) pictured with her twin sister Megan (right) and older sister Casey (center) on signing day for the twins. (Courtesy Kaylee Stowell) 

By choosing their respective pathways, the Stowell twins knew they couldn't shy away from the inevitable anymore: a head-to-head battle for family bragging rights. The lifelong teammates have taken their spots on opposite sides of a MAAC rivalry which has created a novel experience for both of them. There is no running away now from the battle of family bragging rights that will be settled on Wednesday at Hickey Field.  

"There is a little trash talking but mostly a lot of respect," Theresa said. 

Last season, the MAAC's very own "Stowell Bowl" never happened due to Kaylee having to sit out with a concussion. Alternatively, Kaylee and Megan have both had the experience of playing against their older sister, Casey, a midfielder for Albany. 

The three sisters played on the same team growing up thanks to the twins moving up one age group. That arrangement complemented the sisters' tight bonds with one another, but was also good from a competitive standpoint, says Theresa. Ultimately, none of them had to compete against each other for playing time because they all played their own positions on the field.

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Kaylee and her twin sister Megan have played soccer with each other since they were little but will now face off on opposite sides
of Manhattan's match-up with Siena on Wednesday (Courtesy Kaylee Stowell)

"It was good because we didn't want head to head competition for playing time," Theresa said of the discrepancy in positions. "It made them even closer because they had that common experience of playing with each other." 

Having already had their shot at playing against Casey, the twins are ready to experience their own chapter now, says Kaylee.

"I went home this weekend and spent the weekend with her (Megan) and my sister Casey," Kaylee said "It was funny because we were hanging out knowing that we are about to go to war on Wednesday." 

Those who watch Kaylee play are treated to watching a player who brings uber-competitiveness and a willingness to sacrifice whatever it takes to win. That swagger manifests in each of the Stowell sisters' playing styles, hence why Jeff and Theresa Stowell feel extra anticipation when more than one of their daughters take the same field. 

"My parents keep saying, 'whatever you do, don't hurt each other,'' Kaylee said. "And obviously I don't want to hurt her but I'll be aggressive." 

Being identical twins has led to others sometimes questioning which sister is which. Their parents smartly assigned different colored cleats to Kaylee and Megan at an early age to make it easier for others to identify the twins. Deep down, according to their parents, there is no mistaking their personalities. 

"People could tell them apart now more because of their personalities," says Theresa. 

Theresa remembers the good ole' days in the backyard like they were yesterday, when she would teach the game to three future D1 players who love being sisters with one another. Back then, one of the secrets to Theresa's coaching was simple yet effective: adding tape to the inner and outer parts of the cleat's exterior surface to instill discipline for using both feet. 

This past Saturday, Kaylee put those lessons to good use when her shot from over 25 yards with her non-dominant left foot zapped the back of the net and helped lift the Jaspers to a big 1-0 win over Niagara on Senior Day. The goal was her first of the season.

"For them to all be playing soccer and to be doing well academically in their schools you really can't ask for much more," Theresa said. "They are all good kids and they are very tight but competitive."

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Kaylee and Megan Stowell both starred at Arlington High School in LaGrange, New York. (Courtesy Kaylee Stowell)
 
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Players Mentioned

Kaylee Stowell

#21 Kaylee Stowell

M
5' 7"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Kaylee Stowell

#21 Kaylee Stowell

5' 7"
Sophomore
M
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