The Togba’s Team Up for Temple Women’s Soccer

During this holiday week, Temple Athletics will share stories of siblings playing for their respective Owl teams. This is the fourth of a six-part series.

The Temple women's soccer program prides itself on its sense of family, but for freshmen Ayana and Sumaya, that sense of family goes far beyond just being teammates. These two student-athletes are twin sisters.

For the Togba sisters, athletics had always played a significant role in their lives and as they grew up, no matter the sport, they always competed together.

"Soccer was the first sport that we ever tried. We actually started playing when we were three," Sumaya said. "From that point on, every sport we ever played, we were on the same team."

As the sisters grew older, soccer became a central part of their lives and like always, they played together at both the high school and club level. With their continued success and development, the idea of playing college after high school became a real possibility.

"Being a Division I athlete had always been a dream for both of us," Ayana said. "Once we got to high school, we knew that in order to reach that goal, we really were going to have to put in the work."

And that is exactly what they did. Sumaya and Ayana were members of the OSPA Magic, the highest-ranking club team in Maryland at the time and the 2019 Maryland State Cup champions. Their dream of becoming Division I athletes was on the horizon, but their next question was – can we go do it together?

"People really put it in our heads that it might be tough to both receive offers from the same school," Ayana said. "So, at first, we did look at different places but when we reached out to Temple and they showed interest in both of us, we really felt like it was the perfect opportunity."

Being able to play together wasn't the only factor that the sisters loved about the idea of becoming Owls. Sumaya and Ayana had always had their eye on Temple, as they valued the diversity, community, and location of the school.

"When it all came together and we made that official call to say that we wanted to come to Temple, it was great," Sumaya said. "That might be my favorite memory with Ayana because we finally did it, we reached the goal we set for ourselves."

As one chapter closed for the sisters, another opened. As the first semester comes to a close, they have been able to experience not only competitive college soccer together, but have learned how to navigate this new chapter of their lives in a different city.

"I think we could have gone to different schools if it really came down to it, but it would have been hard," Sumaya said. "We really do everything together. We have the same friends, we drive the same car, work the same job, live in the same dorm and play on the same team. When I say everything, I really mean everything."

Spending so much time together has led to a connection like no other.

"We say things at the same time or finish each other sentences all the time, we just know what the other person is going to say."

That connection goes far beyond their life outside of soccer. When it comes to competing on the same team, Ayana and Sumaya agree that they feel that bond translate into a connection and understanding of each other on the pitch too.

"Every time Ayana makes a move or does something on the field, I know exactly why she did that and where she is going next," Sumaya said. "It's nice having that connection because we understand each other, and we know how to motivate and encourage one another when we need it."

With three seasons left as Owls, Ayana and Sumaya have promising futures ahead of them as members of the Temple women's soccer team, hoping to provide continued success for the young team under Head Coach Nick Bochette.

Temple University Athletics

The Togba’s Team Up for Temple Women’s Soccer

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