Clark twins of Northfield will stay together following soccer careers at St. Augustine Prep

By GIUSEPPE UNGARO Managing Editor Alex and Ben Clark were prepared to go their separate ways at the end of their prestigious high school careers. They could be successful on their own, playing for different college soccer programs, each possessing the kind of talent, dedication and personality coaches look for when scouring the nation for recruits. However, the opportunity to play together four more years made too much sense. Why not experience college with your brother, your best friend, and the teammate you know and trust the most on the pitch? The Northfield twin brothers, who are standout players for St. Augustine Prep in Richland, will be playing for Haverford College (Pa.) next year. The school has a strong soccer program, and is among the best academic institutions in the country. “Haverford was the main school all along for both of us,” Alex Clark said. “They are the school that talked to us the most and expressed interest in us. There were a few schools that were recruiting us separately. I don’t know if that was because in one game they noticed one of us and not the other or because they though only one of us would help the program. St. Augustine Prep senior defender Ben Clark heads a ball out of the defensive zone during the Hermits’ win over Ocean City earlier this season. (Glory Days Magazine photos/Dave O’Sullivan) “We always talked about if this is where we split paths, it is what it is. We will say goodbye to always living with each other, and just see each other on breaks. At the same time, although it might happen, it would be cool if we could play another four years together. We can help each other in the classroom and on the soccer field more.” “We probably preferred going to the same school, but it definitely wasn’t a deal breaker if one had a different opportunity or one us thought we can be more successful academically and on the field and the other one didn’t like the school or wasn’t recruited,” said Ben. Fortunately for the brothers and Haverford, they found a fit that suits both of them. Not only are the academics strong, but they will get to continue playing soccer at the college level. It’s a continuation of their careers, which started in the backyard of their Northfield home when they were toddlers. That’s where their father, James, who now coaches the Hermits’ freshmen team, taught them the game. James was also their coach at the youth level. Those hours in the backyard led to a lifelong love for the sport. They played from a young age, and they watched countless of games on television and in person. When games aren’t on and they are not playing, they are controlling world-class players in a video game. “Most of the passion comes from our Dad,” said Alex. “He first got into soccer watching games in college and the World Cup coming to the U.S. (in 1994) sparked his passion. He watched all those games. We were born in 1997, and the next World Cup was 1998 and he watched games with us. Then, because he worked at night, he watched us all day and I still remember some of it. We would go in the yard and kick the ball around. He was the driving force that sparked the interest (of soccer) in the family.” It was James who taught them the game, drove them around the country to play in tournaments, watched the games with them on television, and who carted them to professional matches, first in northern New Jersey and then to Chester, Pa., to see the Philadelphia Union. “I think it has helped develop a strong bond among the three of us,” James said. “I’ve been taking them to live matches since they were 6 or 7. They were watching soccer from time they were 2 years old.” He added: “It’s something the three of us share a love of, watching, playing and attending games. Hopefully that will always be the case.” The unsung hero of the family is Victoria Clark, the twins’ mother, who has supported the passion in and out of their home. Alex Clark helped lead St. Augustine Prep to a 15-6 record this season and berth in the state playoffs. He and twin brother Ben will stay together after high school, as both have committed to continue their careers at Haverford College. “We couldn’t spend all the time we dedicate to soccer without her support,” James said. “She give us carte blanche to do what we need to do. We never had daughters, but she runs a dance studio in Linwood. She says, ‘I already have 200 daughters at dance school.’ But she has been supportive of sports. She supported us and our sporting lifestyle.” That lifestyle included committing to St. Augustine Prep for four years. The brothers certainly left an imprint on the program, leading the Hermits to a 15-6 record and the No. 1 seed in the Non-Public A South playoffs. The captains and center backs are team leaders on and off the pitch. They take different approaches to leading. Alex is more intense and motivates his teammates while Ben is more of a calming influence. They both know when which approach is needed. “(Alex) is definitely a stand-on-his-head defender kind of guy,” Ben explained. “He is really aggressive, a smart player, and reads the game really well. I’ll yell, but he will get on you. He knows when to do it. It’s not constant. If he feels you are not working hard or the striker is not tracking back or midfielder is not going for (50/50) balls, he will let you know about it, which I think every team needs. He is definitely a brick wall in the back and our defensive anchor in the back.” “Ben plays center back for us, but I played with him pretty much at every position over the years,” Alex said. “He has been everywhere on the field. I definitely say he is one of the best players I ever played with because of his versatility. He can play anywhere and excel, his passing ability; his vision is ridiculous. Three or four times a game he will play balls I don’t think anyone on our team can play. As a leader he is good, too. “Ben and I are both captains. I’m the bad guy he is the good guy. I’m the person that likes to get people going. He is the calming presence on the field. If we are playing nervous or bad, he will be the one to calm us down and get us refocused.” The brothers and their teammates opened the playoffs on Nov. 6 against No. 8 Bishop Eustace, scoring a 2-1 win in the Non-Public, South A sectional. The Hermits enter the playoffs on a three-game winning streak. “We think we have a core group of players to make the state championship game,” Ben said. That would be an awesome way to end it. This has been my favorite year. The group of guys have bonded really well.” St. Augustine eventually fell 5-0 to Notre Dame in the semifinals, but despite not winning the title, the Clarks made their marks in South Jersey soccer. There is little doubt they will do the same at Haverford, together. Contact Giuseppe Ungaro: gungaro@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDgisepu [adsense]