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Photos by KYLE GREEN The Roanoke Times

Blacksburg's Tim Becker (8) clears a header over Hidden Valley's Chris Van Thiel during a River Ridge District game.

Photos by KYLE GREEN The Roanoke Times

Blacksburg's Tim Becker (8) clears a header over Hidden Valley's Chris Van Thiel during a River Ridge District game.

Photos by KYLE GREEN The Roanoke Times

Blacksburg's Tim Becker (8) clears a header over Hidden Valley's Chris Van Thiel during a River Ridge District game.

KYLE GREEN The Roanoke Times

Blacksburg boys soccer player Matt Becker (grey sweats), watches the game against Hidden Valley from the sidelines.

BLACKSBURG -- Twins Matt and Tim Becker were no more than 6 years old when their parents offered to sign them up for recreational league soccer. The boys would hear nothing of it.

Maybe a bit surprised at the reaction, Trudy and Andy Becker persisted. After some negotiation, the boys joined their first team.

By and by, the brothers came to discover that they could actually play. It took one game.

"First game we scored and we won," Tim Becker said.

A year or two passed when Trudy saw something about tryouts for a travel team. Once more, the boys balked.

"I was kind of scared to be playing with older boys who were better players," Tim said, pretty much echoing the sentiments of his twin.

While there wasn't exactly weeping and wailing, we may presume that there was some gnashing of little teeth. Their mother persisted.

"It was raining and she pretty much had to tell them to get in the back seat that they were going," Andy Becker said.

Turns out, the boys were a success at that next level, too. So it has been in each succeeding level. They even like the sport now.

No wonder. Four-year starters at Blacksburg High, the brothers have been major contributors to two Group AA championship teams and one state runner-up in three years. Going into Friday night's game against River Ridge District-rival Hidden Valley, Blacksburg is 13-0 and rolling toward another deep run into the postseason.

With 94 career goals, Tim, a forward, is the all-time goal scorer in school history, eclipsing Elliott Stallings' record this season. Matt, the midfielder, stands third on the career scoring list behind Stallings with 65 goals. The twins have already signed to play next year for William and Mary.

But at this point, the story turns melancholy. Three games into the season, Matt collided awkwardly with an opposing goalkeeper and heard a loud snapping noise.

"I was hoping it was my shin guard," he said.

Although the leg hurt some, he still didn't think it was going to be that bad. Then came the hospital visit when the worst was confirmed: broken leg. Although slim hopes that he might be able to return to action were held out, Matt Becker is a realist.

"I'd like to think that I can dress for the state final if we get that far," he said while watching the action at a recent practice.

Matt and teammate Logan Baird, a senior goalkeeper who also broke his leg in competition, stood idly by, both leaning on crutches. Baird matter-of-factly said this was it for him, his playing career is over.

Matt has been stoic.

"But I know this breaks his heart," said one of his coaches, Travis Bishop.

Being a Bruin has meant much to Matt Becker.

"I've always put more stock in high school than club soccer, which is interesting because other club players around the state and around the country put more stock in club soccer," he said. "I love being out here for the high school."

The brothers are exceptionally close. When the reality of Matt's injury set in, the news hit Tim hard too.

"It was just a shock," he said.

Tim has been part confidante, part best friend, and part nurse to his brother since. For instance, whenever Matt arises in the night, Tim wakes up to help.

In addition to being outstanding soccer players, the twins are well-rounded young men. Their parents are Virginia Tech professors, Andy specializing in classical languages and Trudy in ancient history. For many years they have conducted student groups on summer European tours, the twins and their sister in tow.

The brothers are straight-A types who intend to study math in college. They've been named to the National Soccer Coaches of Association of American/adidas Boys High School Scholar All-American team. Only 35 players at all levels of high school soccer are so recognized.

"They're extraordinary young men, the epitome of the term student-athlete," said Shelley Blumenthal, Blacksburg's coach the first three years of their high school careers.

The brothers have similar tastes in almost everything and yes, they are difficult to distinguish.

"I can't tell them apart," Baird said.

Hint: Matt's some pounds heavier than his brother.

Similarly to many twins, they have a form of communication known only to them. On the soccer pitch, the signals are especially fine-tuned.

"I don't intentionally do it, but I always look for him [to take a pass] first," Matt said. "It's probably a product of us playing together for 13 years now."

They are strong allies, but also can be friendly -- but fierce -- rivals.

"They can play soccer with a tennis ball in the driveway and it can get to be very intense," their father said. "We just try to stay out of the way."

Now it seems a long way from a reluctant trip to a rainy tryout for a travel team by two apprehensive boys.

"They have their mother to thank for that," Andy Becker said. "A lot has gone right for them since."