For the Felton sisters, soccer has always been more than just a sport. 

It’s a family legacy and a shared passion that has brought them closer both on and off the field.

 Senior defensive midfielder Peyton Felton, 21, recently played her last home game of the regular season in October. As the team continues to play in the American Athletic Conference tournament, Peyton is wrapping up her last season as a Bull.

Freshman defender Macy Felton, 18, has three more years of eligibility, which would continue the family’s legacy wearing green and gold. 

 The sisters’ journey with soccer began before Peyton and Macy were even born. Their parents had a chance encounter on the field. 

 “Both my parents played soccer in college and met while coaching against each other,” Peyton shared with a laugh. “Soccer was kind of meant to be for us.” 

 Growing up in a family that lived and breathed the game, the sisters had their first taste of competitive soccer at Strongsville High School in Ohio, where their dad coached them. 

Those early days ignited a spark – one that would lead them all the way to USF’s Corbett Stadium.

 Though they played their first game together in their hometown Medina, Ohio, they initially thought it would be their last. Peyton graduated and moved on to college, while Macy stayed behind.

But the desire to play together again was always strong. 

When Macy committed to USF in spring 2023, Peyton soon followed her and transferred to the university a semester later. 

With two other brothers at home, the sisters weren’t able to focus on their bond. But at USF, they became inseparable. 

 “It feels surreal because, in high school, we played together and thought it was the last time,” Peyton said. “Now, being here together again feels amazing.”

 For Macy, having her sister by her side has been a steadying presence in her first year of college. 

 “If I’m ever down, I can go to her, and she brings me back up,” Macy said.

 Majoring in psychology and biology, respectively, Peyton and Macy found a way to balance school and Division I athletics.

Peyton has learned to lean on the moments of joy outside of soccer, finding balance in faith, friends, and even her pet cat, Dobby. 

 “You have to have a balance because if you don’t, you burn out,” Peyton advised Macy. “Always having something other than just your sport or school is really important.” 

Meanwhile, Macy has embraced USF’s community and is becoming active in campus clubs and Bible studies, which she said she finds refreshing after the intensity of the field. 

 “I love how the athletic facilities here bring all athletes together,” Macy said. “I’ve made so many friends from different teams and joined various clubs.”

 The two sisters play in the same part of the field, both defenders who bring a strong style to the game. It’s a dynamic that has led to some sibling rivalries. 

 “We’re both really gritty, and if we go against each other, someone’s going on the ground,” Macy said with a grin. 

Their competitive spirit arises when they talk about facing off against each other.

 ”It’s usually not me,” Peyton said.  

The siblings’ parents have become USF’s unofficial cheerleaders, traveling down from Ohio almost every weekend to support their daughters during home and away games.

 “They call it ‘gamecations,’”Macy said, smiling. “They’re just happy we’re happy and playing together.”

  One memory stands out for the siblings: winning the state championship in high school together in 2020, with their dad as their coach. 

Peyton was a senior and Macy was a freshman when they shared the field under their father’s guidance, each pushing the other to bring their best to the game. 

 For the sisters, a shared victory solidified their connection both on and off the field and remains a cherished milestone in their soccer journey.

“That was a pretty cool memory,” Peyton said.

With Peyton now in her final season, she’s taking on the role of mentor, passing down advice to Macy on making the most of the college experience. 

 “Have fun while you’re playing because it goes by so fast,” she said, looking at the younger Felton. “You don’t want to look back and realize you didn’t make the most of these years.”