Salisbury-Stevenson tilt pits one Dashiell brother against other

In the Salisbury-Stevenson rivalry that has bordered on something akin to the dislike waged by the Hatfields and McCoys, there usually isn't room for ambiguity. You're usually rooting for one team or the other.

That's what makes Wednesday night's showdown between the former Capital Athletic Conference rivals difficult for Chris and Brady Dashiell. Chris Dashiell is a junior midfielder-converted-to-attackman who starts for the No. 3 Mustangs (9-1). Brady Dashiell is a freshman attackman-converted-to-midfielder who plays significant minutes for the No. 6 Sea Gulls (10-2).

"I want to win," Chris Dashiell said after Stevenson edged No. 7 Lynchburg, 12-11, in overtime last Saturday. "I want to come out on top in that game. But that's my brother. I support him 110 percent. I love him to death. He's probably the best gift my parents ever gave me."

"I've got to say that I'm more excited to play Stevenson than I am my brother," Brady Dashiell said. "He and I are really, really close, and I don't think we're thinking of it like that. We're both proud of each no matter where we're at."

The brothers – who will meet as opponents for the first time – knew this day would be coming when Brady Dashiell elected to leave Frostburg State midway through the fall semester and attend Salisbury, which is the hometown of the Dashiell family. The younger Dashiell said he considered joining his brother with the Mustangs, but decided against that option.

"I kind of wanted to do my own thing," he said. "I didn't really want to be in Chris' shadow. I wanted to make my own path and find success my way."

Chris Dashiell is Stevenson's top playmaker, leading the offense in both assists (22) and points (36). Brady Dashiell has registered six goals and one assist for the reigning national champion Sea Gulls.

The brothers might meet on the field when Brady Dashiell is trying to help Salisbury transition from defense to offense and Chris Dashiell is working as part of the Mustangs' ride.

"I might see him a little bit," Chris Dashiell said with a grin. "I might give him a couple checks. That's what a big brother does."

Wednesday's meeting is wreaking havoc on the brothers' parents. Chris Dashiell Sr. usually sits on the side on which his son's offense is playing, but he plans to sit in the middle of the stands at Sea Gull Stadium, according to Chris Dashiell. And Brady Dashiell said friends have arranged for Chris and Linda to wear shirts with one half painted in Stevenson green and the other in Salisbury gold.

"It's going to be weird for him to sit in the middle," Chris Dashiell said of his father. "So I don't know how he's going to fare with that. My mom is kind of in the middle anyway with the whole crowd. So it's going to be kind of odd."

No matter the outcome, both Chris and Brady Dashiell said they will shake hands and hug after the final horn has sounded.