A story of the multi-colored hockey gear sheds some light into the lives of Avery and Emma Flynn, two “kind and humble” sisters who bring a family dynamic to an Amherst College hockey team of women from all over the United States.

“There’s a picture of us from when we were young, where I’m wearing pink gloves and blue camouflage hockey tape around my stick, and Avery is wearing two green laces and red gloves. It’s very mixed-matched and funny,” recalls Emma.

The sisters grew up in Wolcott, Connecticut, and both attended the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut. They come from a family of five siblings who all play hockey, but from parents who never did.

This season, Avery joined Emma on the hockey team. Emma is a junior who has played defense for three seasons.

“I absolutely love having the sisters on the team,” said head coach Jeff Matthews. “It’s something that I welcomed in a heartbeat. Our culture is centered around having a family atmosphere. What better way to enhance that than to have actual family members on the team?

“With that being the type of program we have, that’s how I treat them,” he continued. “It’s all about growth, relationships, growing together, being the best we can be, supporting each other and loving each other, just as a family would.”

When asked if their sisterly dynamic was any different now that they are on the same team in college, the Flynns were sure that it wasn’t any different than the way they grew up playing hockey.

“We are two of five kids,” said Avery. “We’ve always had to group up on teams so our parents could drive us around to games and practices to make it easier, so it’s basically the same this now that we’re at college.”

Avery made the decision to continue her academic and hockey career at Amherst just last year.

“The academics and athletics were a huge part of why I chose to come here in the first place. I tried not to have Emma be a big role in my deciding, and that’s what our parents told me too. But, it’s a big plus to be able to have these last years playing and going to school together before we can’t anymore.”

Added Emma, “I was definitely excited when she decided on Amherst. The choice came down to Williams College and Amherst, which is funny, because (Amherst senior) Eliza Laycock has a sister on Williams, so it was either she was going to be with Eliza’s sister or here with both of us.”

Avery is taller at 6-foot-1 and wears No. 17. Emma is 5-7 and wears No. 16.

“So we joke around and call her the ‘little sister’ which she is, but not physically,” Matthews said.

Emma has tallied two goals and 13 assists in 23 games this season.

“Emma has had a terrific career here so far. On and off the ice, she is just a great teammate,” Matthews said. “They don’t come any better. To add that with the fact that she is a great hockey player, we feel pretty lucky to have Emma Flynn here.”

Avery, who suffered from a broken hand at the start of the season, came back and has a goal and three assists.

“Obviously they’re different. Avery plays defense and is tall and lanky, and Emma is a forward of a more average height. But we were psyched to get Avery. The fact that she had a sister here, and we could add that component to the team was a big bonus.”

Amherst (14-5-5 NESCAC, 8-4-4) takes on Connecticut College (15-6-5, 9-3-4) at Orr Rink in the NESCAC Quarterfinals at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.