The phenomenon of twins is interesting.

Sometimes, when they have the chance, they want to go do their own thing. Selecting a college is the perfect time to do that.

Other times, they stick together and face life’s new challenges together.

For Northwestern’s Ella and Makayla Bressi, there was also an in between choice when it came to college. While they didn’t start off wanting to go to the same college, that’s exactly what they did.

“In the beginning we didn’t set out looking to go to college together,” said Ella Bressi. “As we went along though, it just kind of played out that we both liked Mercyhurst and decided to go there and keep playing field hockey together.”

Mercyhurst University is in Erie, which will put the Bressi twins about 5 ½ hours away from home, which to a student going off to college is considered close. To their mom, of course, it’s certainly not local.

Meanwhile, dad was hoping for somewhere warm to visit.

Mom and dad both lost since the Bressi twins decided that staying close to home was to stay in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and they at least accomplished that.

The pair will join the Mercyhurst field hockey program, and are looking forward to the challenges that are ahead of them both academically and athletically.

“I always talk to my players who play in college about how it’s different,” said Northwestern Lehigh field hockey coach Lissa Opolsky. “You’re walking in there new and there are a lot of adjustments going on for you all around, both in learning the college game and in the classroom. Especially when you’re not close to home, it can be difficult, but I think they’re well prepared for it.”

Both twins put the word adaptability in their description of what they learned from playing field hockey in high school. The pair actually switched positions for the 2025 season – and no, it wasn’t a twin’s prank that they pulled on Opolsky – it was by design.

Makayla started as a forward and moved to midfield, while Ella started in the midfield and moved to the forward spot.

“This year especially, I had to learn how to adjust to the new position. I also learned that you have to be adaptable and make changes outside of sports sometimes,” said Makayla Bressi. “Along with that, I think I learned how to work with other people and how to communicate.”

Ironically, the pair did not really lean on each other to learn their new position that the other had already played.

“It just happened,” said Ella about learning the new position. “We have that twins telepathy thing.”

Ella Bressi still has the spring sports season to look forward to when she will be back on the softball field. Northwestern softball has also enjoyed success, with three straight PIAA semifinal appearances and a District 11 4A championship last season. Getting another gold medal in districts and going on to play for a state championship is obviously a goal for the entire team, but coming into her senior year, Ella Bressi is determined to collect as much gold as she can to go with the four district gold medals she collected in field hockey.

“I’m excited for the season. It’s a lot like field hockey in that it’s a great group of girls,” said Ella Bressi. “I started playing my sophomore year because I had done track in my freshman year instead of softball, and I’ve found my little home out there playing in the outfield.”

Northwestern will hold another signing ceremony in the spring for players who will continue their playing and academic careers at Division 2 and 3 schools.