Ashley girls soccer sisters make jump to international play with Philippines U17 squad
It's a grueling schedule for high school athletes.
Training comes after school, which comes after getting up in the early hours of the day, likely still tired from last night's game or practice. Add on playing club sports, which most athletes aspiring to play at the Division I level compete in, and you're jam-packed.
For Ashley girls soccer sisters Kieran and Leah Bradley, one more ripple is in play: The duo was called up to the Philippines U17 squad earlier this year and has traveled the world playing for the team while balancing club and high school soccer.
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"International soccer is so much different," Kieran said. The expectations are way higher, the coaching is insane, and all the girls you're playing against are at a completely different level."
Kieran made an immediate impact for Ashley as a freshman last spring, scoring 23 goals and recording nine assists as the Screaming Eagles made a state championship appearance. Leah, a freshman goalkeeper this season, says having someone to share her experiences with is invaluable.
"It definitely helps that I have my sister with me; I don't think I could have done it alone," Leah said. As a goalkeeper, there are scouts and clubs from all around the world watching. It's weird to think about, but in a way, I think most of us deserve it."
The sisters were in Wilmington to help the Screaming Eagles earn a rivalry win over Hoggard on Tuesday but are already back in California, catching a 3 a.m. flight Wednesday morning to return to the Chula Vista Training Center to practice with their team.
Born in Wilmington, the Bradleys' mother and grandmother were born in the Philippines, and their familial ties hold a strong place in their hearts.
"It's amazing because you're not just representing your high school or club team," Kieran said. "Instead, you're representing your country, your ancestors who lived there, and the people who died before you, and it's so amazing to be able to fight for them."
Ashley coach Erik Graf says the girls' future beyond high school soccer is unquestionable.
"It's an absolute luxury that we have players like that," Graf said. "We try to create an infrastructure to support them mentally and physically. The most important thing to us is their health. They have a future in this sport, they're incredible athletes, and we want to preserve that."
Transitioning from the expectations of high school athletics to international play took some time for the sisters, who quickly learned just how different things are.
"If you get called up to a training camp and then go to a set of games, they're going to cut people there and send them home, and there's no mercy. They pull you into a training room and tell you, 'OK, you guys didn't make it. You're going home tomorrow,' " Kieran said.
Learning to adjust is admittedly intimidating at times for the sisters, but they know the experiences they've had are essential to their development.
"It makes us so much better," Kieran said. "Not many people can say they've played international soccer, and although it's hard, I just feel so much more prepared when we come back (To Wilmington)."
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Ashley girls soccer sisters earn spot on Philippines national team
