Sparrows Point and Patapsco face off with twins at the helm
There's a big game Thursday between Baltimore County rivals Sparrows Point and Patapsco. It's a rivalry game, but not just the usual kind.
When the two teams face off, the coaches standing on opposite sides of the field will be sisters -- twin sisters. Not that you would know it, they say, laughing.
"She's phenomenal," Sparrows Point coach Ashley Fishell-Shaffer said. "I'm the runt of the litter. But I have the better record."
"We always use the Danny DeVito, Arnold Schwarzenegger analogy of twins," Emily Knich said. "And she's right. My sister is head over heels a much better coach. She was a phenomenal player and now coach, and I was a jack of all trades."
They are 28 years old and have been working at competing high schools for the past six years. But it only last year and this year have they coached varsity teams against each other.
Ashley holds the 2-0 advantage going into today's 3:45 p.m. game at Patapsco.
"They beat us the first time last year, 3-2, in overtime," Emily said. "In the second game we played, they beat us, 2-1, in double overtime. We're due. We're definitely due."
They both attended Patapsco as students and played field hockey there for Laurie Powers, who taught them the game and translated what happened on the field to life lessons off it. They are the same lessons the twins are teaching their players.
Their mother, Debra Fishell, played field hockey, and is now Emily's assistant coach.
"The sticks have evolved since she played," Ashley said. "But the fundamentals of the game haven't. It is interesting. The referees played the game when our mother played."
"Our mom is probably more competitive than we are," Emily said. "When Ashley's team wins, she'll say, 'I'm not talking to you for 24 hours.' And truth be told, our dad takes our side, too."
Oh yes, they trash-talk. But they also support each other. On Tuesday, both their teams played. Ashley went to Emily's game, then they all came to hers, which was being played under Sparrows Point's new lights for the first time.
"Afterward, there is always a pow-wow," Ashley said. "Our coaching adds a little extra to the rivalry."
But, they both add, it's all in good fun.
"Both her kids and mine know we want them to enjoy a sport that they don't see in our area until they reach high school," Emily said. "Sparrows Point finally has a rec program, but we still don't. We do our recruiting the first week of school."
Said Ashley, "Field hockey has always been a highlight in our family, and Emily and I are thrilled that we're getting the chance to share the love we have for the game."
Both teams are 1-1 and improving. Sparrows Point, which is just starting to see the effects of a rec program in its area, played Towson for the first time in about five years, and though the score was lopsided, 5-1, the play was competitive.
And at Patapsco, the coach sees her team moving in the right direction, too.
"We were 0-12 two years ago and 6-6 last year," Emily said. "My sister's team beat us by one goal in each of our two games last year in overtime and double overtime. The year before that, Sparrows Point beat us, 9-0. We're looking forward to this game.
"I think the team who lasts 60 minutes and gets the ball in the goal will win. Our issue is that we haven't been able to get the ball in the goal enough."
