Vendel Versus Vendel

But that will soon change as Betsy Vendel returns to Central Connecticut State University for her sophomore year while Lisa Vendel heads to Bryant University to start her first year. The two are expected to play against one another as part of opposing teams at some point during the year.

"It's going to be weird because we never played against each other except in practice," Betsy Vendel said. "I still have to play my game. It will be interesting and it'll be fun."

 

Neither sister has tasted defeat in the South-West Conference finals. Betsy graduated in 2009 and Lisa graduated this year. Newtown won six straight SWC titles and both sisters were a part of four of these championships, three as teammates.

 

"It was always fun coaching them," said Nighthawks Coach Maura Fletcher. "They are both very good athletes but in different ways. They are both easy going and not uptight at all. They always had a fun loving positive attitude."

 

Both Vendels etched their name in Newtown's record books with Betsy setting the standard for points in school history during her senior year, leaving with 131 goals and 79 assists for 210 points. Her mark was short-lived as Lisa broke it her senior year and finished her career with 215 goals and 56 assists for 271 points.

"When Mrs. Fletcher told me I had the record, I said 'cool' but I knew my sister would break it the following year, and Caitlin Brophy (Class of 2011) would break it the year after that," Betsy Vendel said.

 

The younger Vendel was modest about surpassing her sister.

 

"I couldn't have done it by myself and I had a great team behind me," Lisa Vendel said.

 

Both sisters were nominated for All-American Honors when Betsy was a senior. Lisa was chosen All-American Honorable Mention junior year and First Team All-American senior year.

 

"Lisa and I always connected with each other," said Betsy Vendel. "We'd make eye contact and I knew she'd always get open and I'd hold it for five more seconds (to allow her to get open). It's the connection we have with each other on the field, it is telepathy. I knew what she'd do because we played together for a long time."

 

The sisters’ chemistry leads to their success in becoming unstoppable. Being open and honest with each other also contributes to their success as they strive to help each other improve.

 

"We played with each other on and off in the youth program and it was fun," said Lisa Vendel. "At home, she'd give me pointers. We always talked to each other about the game, tell each other what we could have done better. We know each other's ability and we're both able to shoot from the crease. I know if I give it to her, she'll bury it. I know when to cut and when not to cut and usually, I'm on top. When I'm open, Betsy would pass it to me."

Although they played catch with each other in their backyard during their formative years, Betsy was the first one to formally play, which she began in third grade. Having an older brother, Lucas, Class of 2007, who also played lacrosse, contributed to the route they took.

 

Lisa didn't play right away, and instead, attended her sister's games. When she got to fifth grade, she decided she didn't want to be a spectator anymore, and joined Betsy on the field.

 

Both sisters, especially Lisa, possess lethal shots and good fake moves to the net.

 

"It comes from working in practice and my coaches helped me," said Lisa Vendel. "As a freshman, I didn't shoot as much but Mr. (Mark) Feltch told me when to shoot high and when to shoot low."

 

They are both deft passers as well, especially Betsy.

 

"I've always done well in seeing the entire field and I would rather have 500 assists than 500 goals," Betsy Vendel said. "Seeing a play develop is the best feeling for me."

 

Both sisters played basketball for two years before giving it up to focus on lacrosse. Lisa played field hockey and was a captain senior year, earning All-SWC and Second Team All-State honors as a center midfielder. She won't be playing it in college.

 

Betsy Vendel completed her freshman year at CSCU as a midfielder and finished with 30 goals and 25 assists. She was the Rookie of the Week four times and was chosen Rookie of the Year.

 

"My teammates were so ecstatic because no one in the program has gotten it in our history," Betsy Vendel said. "The college game is a lot rougher and more fast-paced but I like it. It was hard to adapt at first but once I was able to do it, things became easier for me."

 

Lisa Vendel knows she'll have to raise her game a few levels while at Bryant because the competition is tougher in college.

"It will be different competition and it will be fun," she said. "I'm looking forward to work much harder."

 

While Betsy is majoring in physical education and hopes to be a teacher, Lisa is undecided about her major. Both would like to coach lacrosse and Lisa hopes to be involved with sports at some level.

 

With the second of the Vendel sisters out of high school, the Nighthawks won't have a Vendel on the team for the first time since 2005. The sisters were a dynamic duo but weren't identical by any stretch.

 

"As far as Lisa and Betsy and their differences, if we could take the best part of both of them and bottle them, we would have the best player in the land," Fletcher said. "Betsy's strengths starts with her stick work. She can catch anything and feeds with pure accuracy with both her right and left hands. She buries the ball when she shoots and has great precision. She plays her defender well meaning, she finds her defenders weaknesses and capitalizes on them.

"Lisa's strengths start obviously with her speed. She has three speeds, fast, faster and fastest and when she puts it into third gear there is no stopping her. Her other strength is her defense and not only because of her fast feed but because of her anticipation. She is a smart player and is always a step ahead of the opponent."

 

One thing both the Vendels and Newtown lacrosse are looking forward to is CSCU’s expected showdown with Bryant this year.

 

"It will be a little weird but I can't think about it," Lisa Vendel said. "When we have a disagreement at home, we drop it when we get to the field. She had a great season at Central and it will be fun playing against her."