Ella and Makayla Bressi admit to having that “twin telepathy thing.”

Perhaps that is what led them to both choose Mercyhurst University to continue their field hockey and academic careers.

It didn’t start out with them looking to attend the same college, but it ended up that way.

“In the beginning we didn’t set out looking to go to college together,” said Ella Bressi. “As we went along though, it just kind of played out that we both liked Mercyhurst and decided to go there and keep playing field hockey together.”

The newest pair of Lakers are coming out of a Northwestern Lehigh program that has had a lot of success.

Much of the success started with this year’s senior class that helped lead the team to championships in the Colonial League and District 11 tournaments.

“I always talk to my players who play in college about how it’s different,” said Northwestern Lehigh field hockey head coach Lissa Opolsky. “You’re walking in there new and there are a lot of adjustments going on for you all around, both in learning the college game and in the classroom. Especially when you’re not close to home, it can be difficult but I think they’re well prepared for it.”

The pair actually switched positions for the 2025 season. Makayla started as a forward and moved to midfield, while Ella started in the midfield and moved to the forward spot.

“This year especially, I had to learn how to adjust to the new position,” said Makayla Bressi. “I also learned that you have to be adaptable and make changes outside of sports sometimes. Along with that, I think I learned how to work with other people and how to communicate.”

Ironically, the pair did not lean on each other to learn their new position that the other had already played.

“It just happened,” said Ella about learning the new position. “We have that twins telepathy thing.”

Ella Bressi still has the spring sports season to look forward to when she will be back on the softball field.

“I’m excited for the season,” she said. “It’s a lot like field hockey in that it’s a great group of girls. I started playing my sophomore year because I had done track in my freshman year instead of softball and I’ve found my little home out there playing in the outfield.”