In-game conversation between competing women’s lacrosse players is rare, but curiosity got the better of one UMass opponent earlier this year.
Once the ball was at the other end of the field, the opposing attacker had to know and turned to Minutewoman Anne Farnham.
“Is that your sister? Are you a twin?” she asked.
The UMass senior defender laughed. Moments before that same player did a neck-twitching double-take when Anne joined Kate Farnham to double team the ball.
At a quick glance, only the jersey numbers and headband colors differentiate the UMass women’s lacrosse team’s identical senior defenders from Andover.
The interaction during the game was hardly unique.
“We get that all the time,” Anne Farnham said.
While some twins search for subtle ways to standout — unique haircuts, different interests, etc. — the Farnhams have embraced their sameness. Any comparison to the other is taken as a compliment.
They’ve had identical class schedules since their freshman year. Their grades aren’t exactly the same, but they’re close as they study together in their shared apartment with shared textbooks.
Employees at the University Drive Dunkin’ Donuts know to begin preparing matching caramel swirl iced coffees before they’ve reached the front of the line, and assistant coaches know that most of the time they only need to ask one Farnham for a road trip meal order because the other will almost certainly be ordering the same thing.
Even on the field, at key moments, both Farnhams play with their tongues sticking out, Michael Jordan style.
“I think it’s hereditary,” Anne said laughing. “It’s the way we focus I guess. It’s our signature I guess.”
While fraternal twins do occur more often in some families, identical twins are simply a scientific fluke. Athletic talent does run in families and the Farnham clan got a heaping helping of it. Their father Mark, the original tongue-wagging Farnham, was an all-Ivy League lacrosse and football player (and teammate of UMass coach Mark Whipple) at Brown.
The twins’ older sister Grace played field hockey at New Hampshire and Merrimack, while older brother Buddy played football at Brown and spent time on the New England Patriots practice squad. Cousin Bobby, another Brown product, plays for the New Jersey Devils.
Kate and Anne have added to the Farnham legacy. The 22 year olds have been teammates and standouts since kindergarten soccer, a shared athletic career that includes church league basketball and high school field hockey along the way. But lacrosse has always been their favorite since they first picked up sticks in the Andover Youth Services league in third grade.
But no matter how deep UMass goes in the postseason, their run as teammates is going to end soon.
“It’s definitely emotional. It’s hard to believe,” Anne said. “We’ve been playing lacrosse together since third grade. I don’t think it’s hit me yet that it’s coming to an end. I’m looking forward to seeing how far we can go. It’s an honor being part of this UMass team. I love putting on that jersey.”
Kate offered similar sentiments.
“We’ve been playing together for so long. It feels surreal that the end is coming,” Kate said. “We’re trying not to let our emotions get the best of us, but we definitely want to keep this going as long as we can.”
The Farnhams are a big part of why UMass could keep its season going for a while. The Minutewomen are ranked No. 12 in the country at 13-1. Heading into Friday’s 18-10 win over Richmond, their 6.21 goals allowed was third best in Division I and their 11.57 turnovers caused was seventh.
“We have one of the top defenses in the country right now and they’re a key staple,” UMass coach Angela McMahon said. “When they go on a double team, an attacker has no chance. They know exactly what the other is going to do. It’s kind of a sight to see.”
McMahon marveled at the almost complete lack of sibling rivalry between them.
“They’re each other’s biggest supporter. You think of sibling rivalries, but it’s the polar opposite with them. Any success one of them has, the other is backing them up 100 percent,” she said. “There’s zero jealousy. It’s all positive and supportive. That rubs off on the rest of the team. Everyone takes that mentality. They’re really so close. They’re best friends and just great kids. You don’t necessarily say out loud that you have favorite players that you’ve ever coached, but they’re definitely two of my favorite players I’ve ever coached.”
The sisters spent the spring semester interning in UMass’ athletic marketing office, preparation they hope leads to a sports-related career after college. Ideally, they’d like to find a company that wants to hire both of them. It’s something the duo is hoping for, but not counting on.
“Our connection has been such a positive for the past 22 years, I would love to see if someone could see that connection and keep us together,” Kate said.
While they’ve never been apart for more than a couple days in their lives, they’re prepared for that eventuality.
“It’s always been a dream of ours” to work together, Anne said. “But we’d be OK separately. We’re still deciding on where our paths will go.”
“It’s such a special bond. Wherever we are we’ll always be close,” Kate said. “Even if we are separated we’re always going to be there for each other.”
Figuring all that out can wait. They’ll have decades to be college graduates but just weeks to be athletes and teammates.
“I can’t believe senior day is coming in a week or so. As a freshman you feel like you have a lot of time,” Anne said. “We’ve both just been focused on this year and taking the time to appreciate everything that’s still going on.”
Not surprisingly Kate agreed.
“It’s been the best four years. It’s been everything and more,” Kate said. “We’re just enjoying every moment.”
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage