“When they came to our program, they were part of one of our best recruiting classes ever,” head coach Tom Saxton said. “I think they added a level of offensive ability as a freshmen pair unlike we’ve ever seen before in this program, and they came right in and established themselves as a major part of our attack from day one in their freshman year.”

Though Hill and Sinacola said they fit in well with their teammates last season and adjusted to the speed of the game just fine, both have felt more comfortable in their current sophomore campaign.

“I’m still nervous all the time when I go into a game, but I know the team a lot better and we’re connecting a lot better than last year,” Sinacola said.

Hill added, “(I) know what to expect more, and you know what the coaches and your teammates want out of you, and what you need to do when you play.”

The two came into the MSU program very familiar with one another after playing soccer together for 10 years in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. The duo has a bond that goes off the field as well.

“We were roommates last year, and it was fun,” Hill said. “Off the field we’re just like we are on the field, we connect and have fun – our personalities mesh pretty well.”

Hill, a forward, and Sinacola, a midfielder, understand their roles on the team and with each other, which Saxton believes is a key to their success.

“Sinacola’s the provider basically, the one that sets the play up for (Hill),” Saxton said. “She’s also very capable of scoring. She had some great goals for us last year, obviously, two big ones already this year, but she’s got great vision and is able to fit in Lauren Hill.

“Lauren Hill is one of the hardest working forwards in the Big Ten – she’s very fast, and she’s a very dangerous player with a great nose for the goal.”

Although Hill and Sinacola are top players on the field, Saxton said they’re just as good of people off it.

“The first thing that comes to mind about them is they’re great student athletes and great kids,” Saxton said.

“They’re serious in the classroom, very loved by their teammates, get along with everyone and act the right way, and that makes them a great asset to our team.”