CLINTON, Miss. — For Emma and Lillie Young, soccer has always been something they have shared. They grew up playing the sport together in Louisiana, eventually taking the next step in their careers at MC, where they became college teammates for two seasons.

Now, the sisters are thousands of miles from the field where they once played together, but they remain connected by the same game that has shaped their lives. Emma Young and Lillie Young are both continuing their soccer careers overseas, with Emma competing in Iceland's top women's division and Lillie playing in Australia's National Premier Leagues.

For two sisters who once shared the same locker room at MC, the opportunity to play at the next level has created a unique chapter in their soccer journey.

"I did not really ever imagine we would both be playing at this next level," Emma said. "But I am really proud of Lillie for getting to play at this next level. It's really great to gain this experience on the field and in life in general."

Two Sisters, Two Journeys

Emma's professional journey has taken her to Reykjavík, Iceland, where she plays for Fram in the Besta Deildin, the highest level of women's soccer in Iceland. After joining the club midway through last season, Emma is now in her first full season with Fram. She said one of the most rewarding parts of the experience has been the relationship she has developed with her teammates.

"We have all become really good friends," Emma said. "From the start of this year, no matter how we've performed on the field, we love going to training and being around each other. It's just a really great environment that I don't think many teams have at this level."

Lillie's journey has taken her to Newcastle, Australia, where she is competing in the NPL with Broadmeadow Magic FC. Her experience has presented challenges of its own. Nearly 9,000 miles from home, Lillie has had to adjust to a new country, a new team and life without the familiar support system she had throughout her career.

"It hasn't been the easiest experience honestly," Lillie said. "There were a lot of difficulties in the beginning and it definitely makes it harder being nearly 9,000 miles away from home."

Still, she has found support from her teammates and remains grateful for the opportunity to continue playing.

"My teammates are awesome," Lillie said. "I've felt supported as a player by them since I've arrived. I'm just grateful to still be playing the sport I love."

The MC Connection

Before soccer took them around the world, it brought the Young sisters together at MC. Emma arrived in 2019 and went on to become one of the most accomplished players in the program's recent history. During her career, she earned United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American honors in 2021, was named GSC Defensive Player of the Year and earned multiple All-South Region and First Team All-GSC selections.

She finished her MC career with 80 appearances, 63 starts, six goals, five assists and 6,019 minutes played.

Lillie joined the program in 2022 and spent two seasons playing alongside her sister. She finished her career with 52 appearances, including 18 during her senior season in 2025.

While their playing careers at MC were different, both sisters point to the people and competitive environment surrounding the program as important parts of their development.

"The people were a huge part of preparing me for this next step," Lillie said. "From the moment I got to MC, Coach Darryl and Adam had confidence in the player I could become and they never gave up on bringing that out of me."

The Gulf South Conference also provided an environment that challenged Lillie to continue developing.

"The GSC as a whole for women's soccer is super competitive and that really forces you to develop as a player," she said.

For Emma, her time at MC helped her develop beyond the technical side of the game.

"My time at MC helped me to prepare for this next level because I was put in a position to be able to develop my skills as a leader both on and off the field," Emma said. She credits her coaches and teammates with helping her build the confidence necessary to pursue soccer beyond college.

"Adam was always there to push me to develop my own game and understand the game better as a whole," Emma said. "The coaches and players around me helped me to build confidence in myself to believe that I could reach this level."

From Teammates to a Shared Professional Journey

The fact that both sisters are now playing at the next level is something neither expected growing up. For Lillie, playing alongside Emma at MC provided an opportunity to learn from someone who had already taken the steps she was beginning to take.

"She's done it all first," Lillie said. "She knows what it takes to succeed, from the club level to the professional level, so she's very honest with me but has also never let confidence drop."

That relationship has become especially valuable now that both sisters are living overseas. For Lillie, one of the hardest parts of playing in Australia has been being away from her family.

"Growing up there weren't many games that my parents weren't at, especially in college," Lillie said. "Of course they still watch the games they can, but it's different coming off of the field and they're not in the stands."

Emma understands that feeling. Moving to a new country means adjusting to a different culture, different surroundings and a different soccer environment.

"Having to integrate into a new culture when joining a new club or playing in a new place is always an adjustment," Emma said. "Any club or country is so different and it can be lonely at first, but it has helped me grow in many ways."

Having a sister who understands those challenges has provided a connection neither has to explain.

"I always have a training partner, which makes the offseason more enjoyable and less lonely," Emma said. "It also means that I have someone there to push me every step of the way."

Even with the sisters playing on opposite sides of the world, Emma said their shared experience has brought them closer.

"It's great having someone who understands being so far from home and from things you know," she said. "We're able to feel a togetherness even while also being on opposite sides of the world."

What They See in Each Other

The Young sisters have also remained two of each other's biggest supporters. Lillie admires Emma's work ethic and leadership, qualities she said have influenced her both as a player and as a person.

"She's always been one of the hardest working people I know with pretty much everything she does," Lillie said. "And she was definitely born to lead."

Emma has also learned from her younger sister's competitiveness and passion.

"I admire Lillie's work ethic and competitiveness on the field," Emma said. "She brings a passion for winning that any team needs in a player."

For both sisters, those qualities extend beyond the soccer field. Lillie said Emma's leadership has helped her throughout her own journey.

"She's taught me so much about how to be a good teammate and has helped me to develop better as a player," Lillie said. "More importantly, she has always led me off of the field as well."

Emma sees a similar connection in Lillie.

"She has such a fierce love for those closest to her," Emma said. "So when she's on your team in soccer or in life, you know you have someone who will fight for you."

Representing MC Around the World

Although their careers have taken them far from Clinton, both sisters continue to carry the lessons they learned at MC with them. For Emma, representing MC at the next level is about more than where she played college soccer.

"Representing MC at this level means I am always holding myself to the standards we set as a program and, more importantly, always trying to be an example of Christ on and off the field," Emma said.

Lillie believes their journeys can also serve as an example for current and future Division II athletes.

"Representing MC at this level reflects the competitive environment of the program and sets an example that there are opportunities past the collegiate level for Division II players," she said.

Now, the sisters are looking ahead to whatever comes next. Emma's goal is simple: continue playing at the highest level possible while finding an environment that allows her to enjoy the rest of her playing career. Lillie hopes to continue moving into increasingly competitive environments that challenge her to grow, while remaining open to wherever soccer takes her next.

"It could be another city in Australia or another country altogether," Lillie said.

For now, their paths remain thousands of miles apart. Emma is playing in Iceland. Lillie is playing in Australia.

But the connection that began years ago in Louisiana and continued through their time as MC teammates remains stronger than ever. The Young sisters have gone from sharing a field as children, to sharing a college locker room, to now chasing their soccer dreams on opposite sides of the world.

It is a rare journey.

And for Emma and Lillie Young, it is one they are fortunate enough to be taking together.