Delaney: Jeckos in goal

Vanessa Jecko isn't the only goalkeeper in her house.

Jecko, a Sauquoit Valley sophomore, is the keeper for undefeated Indians girls soccer team. Her twin sister, Jessica, is the goalie on the Sauquoit Valley field hockey team.

The 15-year-old Jecko sisters both played soccer until 7th grade. Jessica, who's an hour older, went to field hockey for something different. She played a field position for a while but then tried goalie and found she liked the contact.

Vanessa Jecko moved to goal about the same time as her sister because of asthma that made it difficult for her to play on the field.

"It keeps me involved in what's happening," Vanessa said.

Despite the differences in their sports, the Jeckos help each other improve their goalie skills. Each have to have good footwork. In the backyard, Vanessa gets a field hockey stick and takes shots on Jessica. The girls and their father, Jim, also go to a field on the Sauquoit Valley campus and shoot balls at a goal for Vanessa.

"I like watching when she makes a great save and everyone goes 'Oh,'" Jessica said. "It's great to watch."

It's not always a pretty sight when a field hockey goalie runs on and off the field. A jog to the bench can be a cumbersome activity.

"With all of the equipment, you think she's going to fall one time," Vanessa said.