Sauquoit Brothers Become Teammates

In the Middle East, soccer is life.

With only a ball and their shoes to mark a goal, children play in the streets every day.

That’s how Daniel and Matthew Leo grew up.

Because their parents are heavily involved with international charity work and are currently running a Christian hospital overseas, they spent their childhood in Yemen, Oman, Lebanon and, most recently, the United Arab Emirates.

However, Sauquoit was their home base in the United States when not overseas.

Now, they are teammates on Cedarville University’s NCAA Division II soccer team. Although it had been a lifelong dream to play on the same college team, their dream only became reality this past summer.

The Yellow Jackets finished the regular season 11-1-7 and qualified for the NCAA tournament.

Matthew Leo, a senior business management major, chose to attend Cedarville after receiving an invitation from head coach Brett Faro.

"My faith gives me the freedom to play without pressure, knowing my identity is secure in Christ. And ultimately, it allows me to see soccer as another opportunity to glorify God,” Matthew Leo said. ...