PHOTO 1: Kati Wyland and Kari Hack, members of the Williamsport City Lions Soccer Team, UPSL

“Dreams really do come true.” This is what twins Katura Shaner Wyland (Kati) and

Karina Shaner Hack (Kari) say about their opportunity to play soccer for the Williamsport City Lions in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL).

“We heard about the team in late 2021 and thought about the possibility of trying out for it,” says Kari. Kati adds, “We were initially concerned about potential age limits–we’re 33–and as soon as we heard there weren’t any, we put our names down for try-outs.”

They both tried out in March and made the squad which now includes 25 players. “Growing up, soccer was the first organized team sport I’ve ever played and I fell in love immediately,” Kati says. “Kari and I were always in the backyard knocking the ball around and fighting about who got to shoot and who had to be goalie.” Kari offers, “Growing up, watching the likes of Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd all play–and play well–into their 30’s, was very inspiring.

Kati and Kari graduated from East Lycoming School District in 2007. Their high school careers were distinguished. Kati played four years Varsity Soccer; was a four-year Letter Winner in Track and Field with two trips to States; three years Varsity Basketball with one trip to States; two years Varsity Football as kicker. Kari played four years of Varsity Soccer; four-year Letter Winner in Track and Field with three trips to States; two years Basketball with one trip to States.

Kari and Kati continued their education and soccer careers at Misericordia and Lycoming Colleges. “We knew that wherever we went to college to play, we were a package deal. We stressed that to recruiting coaches and ended up playing in college together all four years,” says Kati. “We attended Misericordia for one year, played soccer, qualified for the PAC and ECAC playoffs, and qualified for the Track and Field conference championship meet,” Kari says. The twins transferred to Lycoming College for their last three years where they played soccer and earned Second Team All-Commonwealth Conference honors in 2009.

Both players have stayed in shape by continuing to play soccer at the Sportzone in Northumberland and the Liberty Arena in Williamsport over the years. The only times they stopped playing was during their pregnancies. They also do work-outs together with the standard crunches, push-ups, squats, etc, several days a week and have recently added more sprint workouts.

Kati, married to Ryan Wyland, is a stay-at-home mom to three-year-old Warren Otto Wyland and Delano Eugene Wyland, aged two. Kati calls Ryan “super supportive” in her soccer activities. “I can’t thank him enough. It’s a bit of a challenge now with our two young boys and his work schedule. A big commitment–but he didn’t even bat an eye.”

Kari’s husband, Cody Hack, is also very supportive, and Kari is very grateful. “He tells me how proud he is of me for trying something like this and thinks it’s great for our daughters to witness,” Kari shares. Their daughters, Kalia Harper Hack, aged 10, and Kaida Kelly Hack, six, both play soccer and wrestle, and call their “Mama Bear” playing Semi-Pro, “pretty sweet.” Kari works as a Roadway Programs Technician/HR Liason at Lycoming County Penn Dot.

Kenny Fern of Williamsport, originally from Scotland, and Ian Scheller of Shikellamy, organized, own and coach both the Men’s and Women’s Lion teams. Lynnette Reitz is the assistant coach. Kenny tells that “…we’ve been trying to get this going for a few years, ever since I moved here in 2016. There has been so much interest and enthusiasm for the sport. I’ve been so excited by the response of the players and the public.” Kari and Kati express their gratitude to Fern and Scheller for making this soccer dream possible in the local area. “Not a lot of people get this kind of opportunity,” says Kari. “My twin and I are blessed.” Kati adds, “To be able to pursue full field soccer with Kari at my side again is an indescribable feeling.”

Coaches Fern and Scheller also helm the Lycoming College and Penn College soccer teams and run Youth Academies and soccer camps in the area.

The Lions practice two days a week and have games throughout June. They tied their first game on May 21 in New York City against last year’s champions. Games continue through June, with the possibility of playoffs in July. The next home games are scheduled for June 4 and 5 on the new turf stadium field located beside the Field House at Penn College, 209 College Ave, Williamsport. Check the UPSL Williamsport City Lions website for a full schedule.