For years, they had been on the same side of the hockey field, but on September 12, 2026, everything changed. For the first time, twin sisters Livia and Amelie Garssen were not playing alongside each other, but against each other. Livia wore the Dominican University New York jersey, and Amelie represented Southern New Hampshire University. It was a special college field hockey game for both sisters.
Together to America
Livia and Amelie played together for virtually their entire hockey careers. As identical twins, they shared a special connection on the field. They understood each other’s style of play and often knew what the other was planning without even having to talk. Still, they made a conscious decision to go their separate ways during their college years. After playing together for so many years, they both wanted to experience what it was like to stand on their own two feet.
That didn’t mean, however, that they completely lost touch with each other. In fact, while they were in the process of choosing their colleges, they were already talking about the possibility of playing against each other someday. What was just a funny and fun idea back then became a reality on September 12.
Even before the match, it felt special for both of them. “We were on the same side of the field in every match, so it’s a little strange now to be facing her,” Livia says. Amelie is especially happy to see her sister again, but she also finds it strange that they had to play against each other instead of with each other.
Livia’s coach also recognized how special this encounter is. According to her, very few athletes get the chance to play with or against a brother or sister at the college level, let alone against their own twin sister. It’s a moment the sisters will never forget.
On the field, the two know each other’s strengths better than anyone. Livia describes Amelie as a strong midfielder who always gives 100 percent and is good at dribbling past opponents. Amelie, on the other hand, sees her sister as a calm defender with great awareness, who often already knows exactly where she wants to pass the ball.
Livia’s profile is also confirmed by her coach. She describes Livia as competitive, disciplined, and consistent. Her composure is particularly striking: she doesn’t lose her cool easily, reads the game well, and communicates effectively with her teammates. According to her coach, her reliability and work ethic also make her an important member of the team.
A Special Game
Although they both emphasized beforehand that they wanted to treat this match just like any other, there was still an element of rivalry between them. “On the one hand, it feels very familiar because we’ve played together for so long. But on the other hand, you still secretly want to show that you’re the better player,” Amelie says beforehand.
This special encounter is also felt throughout the rest of Southern New Hampshire University. According to the coach, the field hockey community feels like one big family, which makes it even more special when players get the chance to meet their own families on the field.
Of course, both sisters predicted a victory for their own team beforehand. In the end, Amelie was proven right. Southern New Hampshire University beat Dominican University 2-0.
The story of Livia and Amelie really illustrates what college sports can offer. The sisters deliberately chose different universities so they could each embark on their own adventure, but eventually found themselves facing each other again on the same field hockey field. With one difference: this time, they were on opposite sides. But there was also one important thing they had in common: their passion for field hockey.
We wish Livia and Amelie the very best of luck with the rest of their college field hockey adventure.
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