Some would say that sophomores Christopher and Daniel Tweed-Kent are a typical set of twins. They complement each other flawlessly, sharing a major, taking classes together, living with one another and finishing each other’s sentences. On campus, when you see one of them, chances are you’ll see the other close by.
This year, however, Christopher and Daniel can add yet another activity that they do together—contributing to one of the best soccer teams in the nation.
Hailing from Pittsfield, Mass., the Tweed-Kent twins have played soccer for their entire lives.
“We started playing when we were five years old, in our family’s backyard,” Christopher Tweed-Kent said. “It was really a family event.”
Christopher and Daniel are the youngest of six siblings, and all the Tweed-Kent children played soccer at one point in their lives.
However, Daniel and Christopher took it one step further. Both were four-year letter winners on their high school’s varsity team, leading their school to an undefeated record during their senior year. They might be playing on the national collegiate level right now, but some of their favorite memories come from playing at Pittsfield High.
“One of my favorite memories was beating Ludlow [High School] our senior year,” Daniel Tweed-Kent recounted. “In our minds, they were just the team we had to beat.”
In addition, the twins helped guide their club team to the Massachusetts state semifinals in 2008, and again in 2009. And on top of that, they were co-salutatorians in their graduating class.
Maybe Christopher and Daniel are not your stereotypical twins.
During the spring semester of their freshman year at Duke, while braving the fierce storm of a Pratt curriculum combined with the stress of a premed’s schedule, the Tweed-Kents contacted the coaching staff to request a tryout for the soccer team.
“In high school, we thought that we would have to choose between athletics or academics,” Christopher Tweed-Kent said. “But once we got to Duke, we realized that we would have time for both. And on top of that, we just realized how much we would miss the sport.”
Eventually, head coach John Kerr granted the twins a 15-day tryout period.
“They really sparked my interest in terms of their work ethic and their efforts all over the field,” Kerr said. “They really inspired the rest of the team to work harder.”
The Tweed-Kents found out in early April that they had made the cut. Now, as two official members of the squad, Christopher and Daniel have found their niche. They are one of three pairs of brothers on Duke’s roster, and one of two different pairs of twins. Surprise, surprise, they even share the same position—outside midfielder.
In their first year with the Blue Devils, they have made a huge impact on the team. Christopher has started 11 of the team’s 12 games, contributing three assists so far. Meanwhile, Daniel scored his first collegiate goal in a thrilling double-overtime game against then-No. 16 Virginia Sept. 11.
However, when asked about their best experiences in Division I-A soccer, both agreed that Duke’s 2-0 win against then-No. 2 Maryland, the defending national champion, was among their favorites.
“Beating Maryland was a great experience.” Christopher Tweed-Kent said. “Just knowing that we could beat the No. 2 team in the country gave us a huge boost of confidence.”
Looking forward to the rest of their careers, the twins aren’t just content with being a member of a Division I-A team. They want to take home a national championship.
“We know that we have the skills to win the championship. As always, it takes a little bit of luck,” Daniel Tweed-Kent said. “Once we can get that luck, we can win.”
What began as two five-year-old twins playing soccer in the backyard with their parents and siblings has become two 19-year-olds competing for a national championship.
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