Emily and Sydney Mulroony didn't earn their latest career milestones together. Sure, both were on the lacrosse field for Morris Hills. But each sister got her own moment in the spotlight.
Emily Mulroony, a junior midfielder, scored her 100th career goal as the Scarlet Knights edged host Vernon, 15-14 in overtime on April 8. She also scored Morris Hills' OT game-winner – and that was off an assist from Sydney as the sisters scored six goals apiece.
Two days later, senior midfielder Sydney Mulroony scored 10 goals in a 17-16 loss at Morristown Beard to get to 200 for her high school career.
Each of the Mulroony sisters got her own banner and poster, and a chance to celebrate with their parents, Denis and Theresa Mulroony.
"I love to do everything with her, but it's good we had our own separate days," said Sydney, who has 212 goals and 143 assists. "It's great working together with her on the field and to be on the same team together. We both have accomplishments we can celebrate as a family and teammates."
Sister act built at home
Born 13 months apart, Sydney and Emily grew up playing soccer and basketball on separate teams. Denis Mulroony coached both in travel soccer, and eventually lacrosse. Sydney had insisted on switching from softball when she was in fifth grade "because there was too much standing around," Denis Mulroony recalled.
Lacrosse quickly became Sydney's primary sport, and she plays year round with Madison-based Dewlax. But Emily still hasn't decided between lacrosse and soccer. Where Sydney signed an NCAA Division I National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and lacrosse careers at Wagner College on Staten Island, Emily is going to D-III DeSales University where she can play both sports.
"Whatever season in my mind is my No. 1 sport," said Emily, who has played club soccer with PESA since seventh grade, sharing time with Centercourt Lacrosse Club in the fall and Dewlax in the spring. "If I'm having a good soccer day, I'm like, 'Yes, soccer's my No. 1' or vice versa. I like managing my time and being busy."
Sydney is more aggressive when dodging opponents, and Emily is a little faster. Sydney particularly enjoys the draw, though the sisters have shared them for Morris Hills this spring. Sydney usually takes the ball behind the goal and looks for Emily, who is trying to cut to space.
Morris Hills assistant coach Holly Bacilo said Emily, who has 110 goals and 42 assists, is also the Scarlet Knights' "hype man," always offering encouragement to teammates.
"They have really good feng shui," Bacilo said. "They trust each other on the field. They can almost anticipate each other's moves. They work so well together."
The sisters agree basketball has usually taken a backseat to other sports. Except at home, when 5-foot-3 Emily often ends up feeling like her 5-foot-8 sister and their father are ganging up on her to get rebounds.
"But that does grow our connection," Emily said. And most of the time, the whole family figures out a way to stick together.
"Weekends are filled up. Club lacrosse takes up every weekend in June, more or less, and some of the weekends in July," said Denis Mulroony, Parsippany-Troy Hills' assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. "This stuff's going to be over someday. I'll be working a long time more, and it's not worth it to miss these things."
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