By LESLIE ARMSTRONG
They've shared a bedroom their whole lives. They tell each other just about everything. And now for the first time they are doing together what they love most -- playing soccer.
This is the first year BYU soccer players Michelle and Janet Jensen have the opportunity to be teammates. Both girls have played soccer since they were eight years old but have never played on the same team.
Michelle and Janet grew up in Salt Lake City and began playing soccer with the American Youth Soccer Organization. They both played high school and club soccer as teenagers and are now on the BYU women's soccer team.
Michelle is in her third season at BYU after being on the All-WAC team for her first two years as well as being named All-Region at midfielder.
Janet was recruited by BYU this season after being named the 4A MVP her senior year in high school and making the All-State high school soccer team.
Michelle and Janet have been surrounded by soccer-playing family members their whole lives. All seven children in the Jensen family play soccer.
'I've felt soccer was a very healthy activity for the youngsters, but all of the kids were in various activities and have learned to love soccer themselves,' said their father, Gary Jensen.
Michelle remembers choosing soccer over her other childhood activities. She said each of the children in the family were allowed to participate in many activities, and then there came a time when he or she needed to choose which one to focus on.
Both girls said for them the choice was easy -- soccer.
Michelle and Janet accredit much of their early love for soccer to their father. They are grateful for the continued support they receive from both parents.
'Dad coached both of us when we were younger,' Michelle said. 'And now he is coaching my little brother.'
'I remember Dad coaching me when I was little, and now he and Mom come to all of our games,' Janet said.
Support is an important aspect of life at the Jensen household. Gary said he and his wife attended all but one of the away games during Michelle's first year at BYU, and they have been at every game this season.
'My husband and I decided this was a time when we needed to support them,' said LuAnn Jensen, Michelle and Janet's mother. 'We also knew this was something that would never happen again.'
Michelle and Janet also recognize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they are having and are simply enjoying it while they can. Plus, they get to be roommates again.
'We get along really well,' Janet said. 'We've shared a room our whole lives, and when we argue it doesn't last long.'
Michelle is a junior and has two and a half years left at BYU before graduating in Elementary Education. Janet is a freshman, major undecided.
For now the sisters are simply grateful for the opportunity to finally play soccer together.
The next women's soccer game is 7 p.m. Friday at Haws Field against the University of Texas, El Paso.