VICTORIA – Building a winning team is about more than just stacking talent—it's about creating a tight-knit culture that feels like family. For the University of Victoria's women's and men's soccer teams, that bond is not just aspirational; it's in their DNA. With five sets of siblings between the two programs, the chemistry on the field goes beyond mere camaraderie—it's literally genetic.
The Vikes women's roster reads like a family tree, with three sister duos: Ruby and
Claire Nicholas, Presley and
Payton Rangel, and Sydney and
Brooke Casidy, each pair bringing a shared bond that only siblings can develop. On the men's side, defenders Fin and
Archie Tugwell patrol the backline with a brotherly synchronicity that anchors the team. Perhaps the most unique connection comes from sibling standouts Matteo and
Adrianna Hilton, whose presence on both the men's and women's teams subtly link the two programs.
But the sense of family doesn't stop with current players. The legacy of UVic soccer runs even deeper, with several athletes following in their parent's footsteps, who once wore the Vikes jersey themselves. These familial ties make UVic an especially meaningful place to play as generations carry on the tradition.
For Fin and
Archie Tugwell, who honed their skills at the same North Vancouver soccer club, playing together didn't happen until they joined the Vikes. Now, their chemistry on the backline is unparalleled. They've started all but two games this season (Archie missing due to injury), contributing to a defense that conceded just three goals in 13 matches.
"It has been so fun playing alongside my brother here at UVic. I don't think we realized how much we would enjoy playing next to each other on the field," says Fin, the eldest of the Tugwell brothers.
"Archie is like any other teammate. We never fight and hardly ever disagree, and I think part of that is because we both understand exactly how the other would like the ball to be played, or where the other should be positionally. That sounds a little corny, but I'm sure our teammates would agree on the brother connection we have on the pitch."
It's much the same for the Nicholas sisters, with Claire scoring her first goal as a Vike on an assist from her older sister Ruby earlier this season.
According to second-year Vike
Payton Rangel, having a sibling on the team has its advantages. "My sister is my role model in every way, and having her there has been such an advantage emotionally. We are hard on one another in a good way. I think when you look at siblings on a team, you might think it's intimidating or feel like you're living in a shadow, but Presley and I are very different players, which is a great thing. It allows us to have our own individuality while still being sisters on the same team."
While it's hard to pinpoint just how impactful the family ties truly are, it's tough to argue with the results. Both programs have had an outstanding 2024 so far, finishing in second place in the Canada West Pacific Division, clinching playoff spots, and cracking the U SPORTS top 10 to close the regular season.
The women's soccer team begins post-season play by hosting the Canada West quarterfinals on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 5:00 p.m. against the Saskatchewan Huskies. Last year marked their first appearance at the Canada West Final Four since 2017, and they're looking to get back there again this season.
The men's team is on the road at the University of Alberta and will face Mount Royal University in the Canada West quarterfinal match on Friday, Oct. 25, at 11:30 a.m. MT.
