The Barometer Online

Issue date: 9/26/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Sam Leinen Nick (left) and Mason Webb, identical twins who play on the men's soccer team, didn't start our their collegiate careers together. Now they're both in orange uniforms, helping lead the Beavers on the pitch.

For years, Mason and Nick Webb have done everything together. They read the same books, took the same classes and played the same sports. It came naturally not only because they were brothers, but also because they were identical twins.

When it came to soccer, it was no different. Mason and Nick were both standouts at Squalicum High School in Bellingham, Wash., and both had offers to continue their athletic careers in college. But that's where the similarities stop - Mason was recruited by OSU to play soccer. Nick was not.

Nick began his collegiate soccer career at Western Washington, where he made first team All-Conference as a freshman. After his freshman season, Nick transferred to OSU to rejoin his brother.

"It has been a pretty big change," Nick said. "The level of practice and commitment is a lot different than at Division-II, and on a daily basis it is a better atmosphere, and that is why you get better at this level. Every day you are playing against better players."

Nick's first year at OSU took a while to get used to. Off the field he was happy; he was reunited with Mason and the two lived together with other soccer players. However on the field, it was a different story: he was not an everyday starter at OSU as he was at Western Washington.

"I had been playing every game at Western," Nick said. "Since I got here in the spring I have gotten a lot better. My skills and shots have gotten a lot better. The game is all about being there mentally, last year I do not think I was there as much mentally as I am now. Which is why I think I am doing better this year, and I think people are starting to notice it."

This year, things have changed for Nick as he is getting a chance to play alongside his brother on the pitch. Playing next to each other is something that the brothers have done all their lives, and it helped them learn from one another.

Continued...

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