In many families the oldest child is often looked upon to set an example.

The example set by 20 year old Meghan Klingenberg, might be a little tougher to emulate than most.  Excelling on the soccer field and in the classroom, Meghan leaves hard footsteps to follow.

Her 15-year old brother, Drew Klingenberg, seems ready for the challenge.

Meghan currently plays at North Carolina and has also excelled for the U20 National team, helping them to qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup at the recent CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament.

Drew plays clubs soccer at Penns Forest in the Pittsburgh area and with the Region I ODP team, and is becoming one of the more coveted players in the country for his 2012 graduating class among college recruiters.

Meghan and Drew both started with soccer at an early age.

"Meghan was always a well-rounded athlete and excelled at all the different sports," her mother Kristen said, explaining her daughter played baseball and basketball, and ran track in middle school but decided it would be better to just focus on soccer.

Drew wasn't as much involved in other sports, and seemed to catch on to soccer a little faster than Meghan had.

"Drew fell in love with the game earlier than Meghan," Kristen stated.  "I guess he liked what he was good at.  His foot skills were much better than the other kids his age."

At the age of 11, Meghan was recognized and invited to tryout for the Pennsylvania ODP team before she was even eligible.  She made the team and played up for a few years before eventually switching over to her appropriate age.

Drew made the Pennsylvania ODP team the first year he was eligible and was invited his first year to National ID camp.

"I guess we just have athletic genes," Kristen said.  "My husband and I were both competitive athletes but nobody in our family really played soccer."

Although they may not have passed down the soccer skills, their competitive nature is something that Meghan and Drew both picked up on.

"They are competitive in anything they do against each other or against anybody," Kristen stated, "They are not real good losers."

Meghan and Drew both plead guilty to the charges..

"Everything is a competition with us," Drew explained.

"The only time we ever fight is when we play games," Meghan added.  "When we were younger he would never play me because I would never let him win.  My parents would yell at me.  Now he's starting to want to play me again but he has never beaten me.  The day might be coming though."

True to the form of the sibling rivalry, Drew sees things a little differently.

"I don't always lose to her" he laughed.  "She beats me and I beat her.  I'd say its 65:35 or more like 60:40."

Meghan's competitive drive has worked to her advantage.  Meghan was named a youth All-American, Parade All-American, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Player of the Year during her high school years and this past year was selected on the first team All-American, named an Academic All-American, and selected for the freshman All-ACC team.

"I learned my competitive drive and determination from her," Drew claimed.  "She is the most determined person I have ever met."

Joenal Castma, former coach of both Meghan and Drew, explained how Meghan's attitude improved her Penns Forrest premier team.

"She brought a little more seriousness to the team," Castma said, "She kept the level high at practices and games."

Drew also credits Meghan for getting him involved in soccer.  

"She was the one that influenced me to play soccer," he stated.  "I was always dragged to all her soccer games when I was younger."

And at those games he could always be found on the sidelines touching a soccer ball.

"I like having an older sister that plays soccer," he said. " She gives me advice all the time.  I wouldn't be the player I am if it weren't for her"

Although Meghan and Drew, both midfielders with experience playing in every position, may have similar attitudes when they step onto the field, there are some things that set them apart.

"We are completely different people aside from our love for soccer," Meghan said.  "You would never think we are brother and sister.  He's laid back, a Type B personality. I am a high strung Type A personality.  I'm more reckless on the field while he's more of a finesse player always stringing together passes."

Drew agreed, "I'm more technical on the field and she has more of a work drive."

Castma explained the difference in their style of play.

"Meghan has very good mobility and is very agile," he said.  "She plays fearless and is not afraid to try anything; that is what makes her unstoppable.  The key to her game is her 1 vs.1 play because she has fun with it and likes to be challenged.  She is vocal on the field and helps to keep the game under control."
 
"Drew has an amazing sleekness," Castma explained. "He has a great understanding of the game and is very technical on the ball.  He is more reserved on the field and doesn't say much but has the capability of changing the game by himself.  When he gets the ball at his feet he doesn't lose it"

"Drew reads the game so well," Meghan added, "I've never seen anyone read the game as well as him.  He makes something impossible look easy."

With two children so involved in soccer, one can only imagine the expenses that have built up over the years, but according to their mother it was all worth it.

"A year ago my husband and I were at dinner talking about things and we started adding the costs over the years and decided that it would be frightening to see the amount we invested in soccer," Kristen explained.  "We've been traveling with the kids since they were little. At least one of us is at about 98% of games."

"My parents are amazing," Drew said.  "If they don't come to a game I know that they are there in spirit supporting us in all that we do."

 "They love to go to the games," Meghan added.  "They just enjoy watching the soccer." 

And Kristen agreed.  "I don't think I could ever say that I get sick of soccer.  I just love the sport. I try to get as much of it as I can."

With Meghan entering into her sophomore year at UNC and a possible trip to Chile for the U20 World Cup, and Drew entering into high school this upcoming fall, they still have a lot ahead of them with big plans for the future.

"I hope to play in the pro league after I graduate," Meghan said.  "I want to continue playing soccer the rest of my life and hopefully one day get some caps on the full national team."

"My goal is to make the national camp this year," Drew explained, "and play professionally in Europe in the future."