As identical twins, Annika and Isabella More get a lot of questions from their high school peers. “Can you feel it when I punch your sister?” and “Do you have telepathic powers?” are among the most common.

While they can’t read each other’s minds, they seem to have established a connection on the soccer field.

Annika, left, and Isabella More are identical twins who share a connection on the soccer field and have helped the Portland girls' soccer team to a 6-3-3 record during their freshman season. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

“We’re in tune with each other and know what each other’s style is,” Annika More said. “We sort of know what each other wants to do with the ball, so we’ll make the run.”

The More sisters are part of a trio of starting freshmen helping Portland (6-3-3) hold its own in Class A South. Annika and Isabella are fearless forwards who don’t hesitate to go in for a tackle.

“You see them on the field and think, ‘Wow, these kids are really tough,'” said Arthur Mosen, who handed his head coaching duties off to Curtis Chapin for the season while Mosen cares for his newborn son. “Then, they come off, and they’re these humble, quiet, wide-eyed freshmen.”

Chapin said the Mores “don’t play like freshmen.” On Monday, Isabella scored two goals while Annika had one in the Bulldogs’ 8-0 win over Biddeford.

“There’s really a connection between those two,” he said. “It’s hard to have one on the field and not the other.”

The sisters’ competitive nature drives one to match the other’s scoring production – Annika More has six goals and three assists, Isabella has four goals and an assist – but they’re quite laid back. They don’t mind fielding questions from classmates about being twins, or getting called by the other sister’s name.

“I just answer to both,” Isabella said. “We’re used to it.”

Portland lost three key players – forwards Chessa Hoekstra and Isabel Stehli and defender Merritt Ryan – to graduation after last season, but freshmen have helped to fill the void. Along with the More sisters at forward, Cecilia Ritter has been a force as a starter on defense. Freshman Hazel Praught also plays in the backfield.

“To have four freshmen – three starters and one who comes off the bench – that’s always beyond any expectations,” Chapin said. “There’s such a gap in experience, but you don’t feel it.”

It’s not the first time underclassmen have made a significant difference on the team. Senior forward Kate Johnson also started as a freshman at a time when the program was consistently averaging just two wins a season. In 2013, she – along with teammates Taylor Crosby and Hayleigh Blanchard – helped lead the Bulldogs to their first playoff appearance in years.

“Making the playoffs that year was a really big step for the program, and that really propelled us to where we are today,” Johnson said. “We have a lot more confidence now. Every year, we come in with different goals.”

Last season’s aim was to earn a home game in the preliminary round, which the Bulldogs accomplished before ending their season at 8-7 with a 2-0 loss to Kennebunk. This year, their goal is to make it to the quarterfinals with the help of the twins.

“Once we get in the game, it’s more serious,” said Annika More. “At the same time, we don’t try to be mean or anything like that.”

“Mean” isn’t a charge any of their teammates would likely level against the twins, who gush about their role on varsity as “an honor” and “a dream come true.”

“We’re similar. We’re nice,” Isabella said before quickly changing the topic. “I love connecting with the team. I’ve started to care for them a lot.”

She paused and laughed. “That sounds cheesy.”

Off the field, Annika enjoys photography, reading and drawing. Isabella likes art and acting, though she’s quick to add that she’s “not that good at it.”

Given their modesty, the spotlight isn’t a comfortable place for the More sisters. Almost two weeks after conducting a postgame interview for the first time, the twins still dwelled on their “choppy” answers while managing to laugh it off.

“They came up to me after (the interview) and were like, ‘Oh my god, I’m so embarrassed,'” Chapin said. “It’s just so funny because, on one hand, they take everything in stride and, on the other, they’re so analytical. Every detail, they want to get right.”

That seems to be one personality trait that carries over into their game. Chapin said the twins are always asking questions and making any adjustments asked of them.

Annika and Isabella are also starting to find their voice. They have even taken on the role of pumping up the team in pregame huddles.

“On the field, they’re both very aggressive – it’s important in the game of soccer to have that switch,” Johnson said. “Off the field, they’re very funny and kind. They’re both extremely positive with great attitudes.”

Isabella admitted she was nervous about entering high school, assuming the upperclassmen would be “so scary.” But those fears faded when she scored her first goal in the Bulldogs’ season opener, and her teammates enclosed around her in celebration.

“It just felt so good,” she said. “Everybody was so happy and positive about it. It showed me how kind the team was and how …”

Isabella’s voice trailed off, as if she caught herself mid-sentence talking too much. She looked down, and a smile stretched across her face.

“It just made me really love soccer,” she said.

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