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Grumski family lives to stop shots

Stephen Grumski
Soccer big part of clan's tradition

JEFFERSON TWP — The Grumski family members are a lot of like.

There are sets of twins involved, plenty of soccer players — and two high school goalkeepers with plenty in common.

“My father and uncle, mother and aunt ... They were two brothers who married two sisters,” Scott Grumski said. “I guess that’s where it all starts.”

Scott Grumski’s son, Stephen, is a senior soccer goalkeeper at Knoch High School. Ken Grumski, Scott’s brother, has a daughter, Kenadi, who is a senior goalkeeper at Quigley Catholic.

Stephen made all-section this season and was a team captain for Knoch. Kenadi made all-section this season and was a team captain at Quigley.

Stephen has a twin brother. Kenadi has a twin sister.

“Whenever our familiies got together when we were younger, Kenadi and I would hang out together and our twin siblings would hang out together,” Stephen said. “We always shared the same kind of interests.”

They shared the same taste in wardrobe as well.

Both wore the same goalkeeper jersey in the exact same color while they played — without consulting each other beforehand.

“It was kinda funny ... a light blue jersey and we chose the same captain bands, too,” Kenadi said.

“We laughed about it and joked about which one made it look better,” Stephen said.

When it comes to tending goal, there is no laughing matter. Both are pretty good.

Stephen posted six shutouts and a 1.80 goals-against average for Knoch, which finished 7-7-2 this season. Kenadi recorded four shutouts, 134 saves and a 76.6 save percentage for Quigley.

Both have been playing soccer since age 4. Stephen’s family lives in Sarver while Kenadi’s family resides in Cranberry Township.

“When I was 10, my coach rotated all of us around so we could play different positions,” Kenadi said. “Once I went in goal and started playing, the coach told me I was never coming out.

“I’ve been a goalie ever since.”

Stephen played goalie for the Knoch hockey team his freshman and sophomore years, along with soccer.

“Whatever the mentality for a goalie is ... That’s what he is,” Scott Grumski said of his son.

Stephen said he likes the uniqueness of playing the position.

“If you make a mistake, it shows,” he said. “I like the added pressure.”

Stephen and Kenadi Grumski both have college in their sights. Stephen is leaning toward Dickinson and wants to study psychology. Kenadi is being scouted by Chatham, but may go elsewhere, and wants to study physical therapy.

Both are undecided as to whether to play soccer in college. Neither expects to be done playing soccer, period.

Stephen and Kenadi have never been soccer teammates, but are considering organizing an indoor team involving numerous family members.

“We’ve got a bunch of cousins and other family members who have played soccer,” Stephen said. “It’d be fun to all play together for once.”

But which one will play goalie?

“Already talked about that,” Kenadi said, laughing. “We’re both gonna play a half.”

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