Jasmine and Sheridan McNish— 17-year-old twins who play soccer well – gathered with their parents in the living room of their Adams Corner home last Wednesday and signed letters of commitment that will see them playing Division 1 soccer for two of the top collegiate programs in the country next year. For Jasmine, home base will be in Storrs with the University of Connecticut, and for her brother, it will be in Burlington with the University of Vermont.
Their parents, Janelle Woods-McNish and Hansley McNish, said their twins’ journey to the highest level of collegiate soccer began with the many hours they spent on the pitch at Pope John Paul II Park.
“How they got introduced to soccer was Dorchester Youth Soccer,” said Janelle. “It’s an incredible organization that just allows families to explore the sport and have fun on a Sunday. I love that community feel, I love our neighbors. It’s a walkable community where you know everyone around you.”
Their dad agreed. “I think it’s the environment they grew up in – the family is a good support system, their friends, and coaches,” said Hansley. “They have had great coaches over the years. It started from Dorchester, and everyone has played a significant part.”
The twins have played a large role in each other’s careers, too. According to Jasmine, it was Sheridan who got her into the sport.
“I played for Dorchester Youth Soccer in probably preschool, but then I quit because I didn’t like it,” she said. “But then when I was around 9, my brother had a tournament, and I liked watching. One of his teammate’s sisters had a team and was looking for players, so she asked me. I ended up scoring like six goals that game and then got back into it.”
She added: “I guess in some ways I look up to Sheridan. He is kind of the reason I started playing soccer. He just looked so happy, and I wanted to be happy too. I am thankful to him for that.”
For his part, Sheridan said that in addition to having fun, growing up in Dorchester “taught me that I need to work for what I want. I wasn’t given anything; I’ve put a lot of hard work into being where I am.”
As the twins grew their games, both played with Global Premier Soccer and Sheridan joined the New England Revolution Academy while attending Buckingham Browne & Nichols School. In his senior year, he transferred to Prestans Online Academy. Last October, an item on the New England Revolution website noted that “the 17-year-old midfielder signed his first professional contract with Revolution II, after recording one assist across 10 appearances in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.”
Meanwhile, Jasmine played on a few club teams, most recently the FC Stars, while attending the Rivers School, where she is the captain of the girls’ soccer team.
In addition to their local play, Jasmine and Sheridan have represented their father’s home country, competing internationally for the Trinidad and Tobago national youth teams.
While they both play center back on the pitch, their mother said they “couldn’t be more different.”
“Sheridan is a surprise because he smiles and he’s very warm, but he’s very aggressive. He knows how to use his strengths. He’s a little silent surprise,” said Janelle. “Jasmine’s very elegant and a technically good player. You kind of see her coming because of her build and style of play, but she’s also gotten more confident in her play. She’s beautiful to watch.”
Added their father: “They have the talent, the IQ for the game, and they are patient. They were never eager to be the stars. They took their time in growing and understanding the game.”
Though their styles of play may differ, the twins, who take the field at 5-foot-11 and 6-foot-2, understand each other more than anyone else. Said Jannelle:
“They definitely have each other’s back and know what it’s like to be an athlete playing at the level they are playing. You have to have different priorities. You get home late, you study long hours, you don’t go out much. They are on the same page, and they support each other even though they fight so much.”
When it came to picking a college, Jasmine and Sheridan were there for each other, too. “For both kids, he had to go to her visit, and he had to have her at his,” said Janelle.
Jasmine, who is two minutes older than her brother, was the first to pick a school when she verbally committed to UConn in August 2024. “The team environment was really intense but also had a family aspect to it,” she said about her visit to Storrs. “Everyone was welcoming, and it felt right.” Specifically, she looks forward to playing under head coach Margaret Rodriguez.
Sheridan verbally committed to UVM this past July. “When I was talking to Vermont, I didn’t think I would see myself going there, but I wanted to give them a chance,” he said. “They’re the defending national champions. When I went on my visit, that’s when I really saw myself being able to go there.”
This season, UVM was 14-0-5 while UConn finished the season at 11-4-3.
The twins will never play against each other in college, but Sheridan said going to different schools is “exciting and adds on to the rivalry. We’re very competitive,” he said with a smirk.
With their competitive spirit and a dash of Dorchester grit, both plan on making an impact as soon as they get to their schools. Afterward, the professional level awaits.
Through it all going forward, Janelle and Hansley will be managing their times on the road to cheer on their kids. Janelle said that the most important thing she has learned as a soccer mom is to “support them, don’t pressure them.”
When asked what advice she had for other Dorchester families on a similar path, she said, “You will make sacrifices in this process; it is a team effort on and off the field.”
She added, “Know if they don’t make it to D-I college or they don’t play professionally, what you are giving them in terms of leadership, discipline, focus, and teamwork – those are life skills and I think that’s worth every moment you will spend supporting them.”
