By Danny Barletta
MassLive
January 18, 2021
Ben and Becca Hyjek of Gateway Regional both earned All-State recognition in their final seasons with their soccer teams. Photo: MassLIve
Becca Hyjek’s soccer career began when she played on the boys team with her twin brother Ben at the age of 6.
They continued to play together on boys teams growing up, often coached by their dad. According to Ben, Becca was always one of the best players on the team. She recalled the two of them having a special twin chemistry between them that led to a lot of goals.
“A lot of the times, we would play forward together just because we had that chemistry,” Becca said. “I can just remember we would always score goals together and it was very fun. I think everyone was a little jealous of that.”
“Every time that we got up the field, it kind of seemed like two hurricanes going down there,” Ben added.
Now, as seniors at Gateway Regional High School, they finished their careers as Gators as Division IV soccer All-State selections for their respective teams. The hurricanes are still swirling, although at separate times on the pitch.
It was a challenging season due to the new protocols put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they made the most of their final year of high school soccer as the leaders of their teams.
“We never really knew if we could get canceled next week or what the next game would hold,” Ben said, “but I’m really glad we were able to have the chance to have a season and get together and just have fun.”
Ben earned his spot on All-State for the second straight year by leading the boys team with seven goals and four assists. The Gators only scored 14 total goals this season, and Ben was involved with 11 of them. He’s normally an outside midfielder, but Andy McCaul said he had to move Ben around a lot this season.
But no matter where he played, he did well.
“He’s a very flexible player, very knowledgeable,” McCaul said. “I had to move him potentially out of his comfort zone to shore up the middle of the field against Easthampton, who was by far the best team we played this year. … Putting him in positions outside his comfort area and he still succeeds. I think that’s a testament to his abilities and his willingness to do what was best for the team.”
Meanwhile, Becca earned her first All-State recognition by leading the girls team with seven goals and five assists. The center midfielder was described by her coach and athletic director Matt Bonenfant as the “field general” of a team that graduated 10 seniors last spring.
“This year with the losses we had … she really captained the ship,” Bonenfant said. “She really was who I bounced ideas off of in all honesty, knowing that she probably had a better mastery of our offense than I did … She commanded what went on with all the players and just led.”
Becca and Ben have been competing with and against each other for as far back as they can remember — whether it was soccer, basketball, snowboarding or anything else, the Hyjek twins always challenged each other to be the best.
“I think (Becca) made me a much more competitive person,” Ben said. “I don’t think I’d be as driven without her.”
Becca felt the same.
“Having that competition all my life, [Ben] has definitely pushed me to be a better player and always want to improve myself,” Becca said. “So that’s huge. It’s like motivation for me.”
While Ben and Becca have many similar traits, especially on the soccer field, they also have their differences. Ben, who is the older of the two by one minute, is more of a math and science student while Becca favors English and language.
“I think our strengths and weaknesses really counteract each other,” Ben said.
According to their coaches, both Hyjeks have really blossomed into great soccer players and leaders over their time at Gateway. McCaul said Ben has been on varsity since his eighth grade year, and through hard work, he became an All-State player both as a junior and senior.
“He’s a kid that is always giving 100%, he’s always led by example,” McCaul said. “He’s always the first kid on the field. He’s kind of like the perfect kid to coach.”
At the same time, Bonenfant said Becca has been playing at an All-State level for a few years now, but she never got the recognition until this season because her value to the team wasn’t always reflected in her stats.
“They’re not the ones putting up all the stats, but they’re the glue and they’re the gears that keep the wheels turning. That’s Becca Hyjek,” Bonenfant said.
Ben agreed, saying he was actually more happy for Becca being named All-State this season than himself. He felt she deserved it just as much as he did last season. Becca said, however, she didn’t care about what happened in the past, she was just really excited to make All-State alongside her brother.
“It’s unbelievable,” Becca said. “We both — I feel like — have progressed so much as soccer players together. It’s crazy to see this outcome for both of us and both have this much success.”
As for their futures, neither one has committed to a school for college yet. Becca has one in mind where she plans on playing soccer. Ben, meanwhile, is looking more for a school with a good engineering program, and if he finds the right fit, he may also play soccer there.
Bonenfant, who also serves as Gateway’s athletic director, said having two players represent the small school on the All-State teams is incredible, but to have two players with the character of Ben and Becca is what really makes it special.
“To know their character and how they carry themselves and their expectations, how they carry themselves not only as students but as athletes and community members, that was the biggest thing,” Bonenfant said. “Sometimes in sports, we ultra-focus on statistics, and sometimes those kids that maybe don’t have the highlight statistics — they could, but they see the bigger picture. They want to make their team better, so they sacrifice … They’re there for their community. They’re there for their teammates, and Ben and Becca are shining examples of that.”
