While many in athletics are bemoaning the loss of multisport student-athletes in today's age of specialization, opponents of Union College (New York) are seeing double -- in two different sports.

The Flanagan twins, identical sisters Elizabeth "Liz" and Margaret "Molly," are sophomore multisport athletes. Both women play ice hockey and lacrosse, and Molly also plays soccer.

Perhaps not coincidentally, in the last two years, the Union ice hockey, lacrosse and soccer teams have combined for an overall record of 65-42-5 (a winning percentage of .603), qualified for three NCAA Division III championship tournaments, earned two Eastern College Athletic Conference playoff invitations and won a pair of Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association championships. While many factors go into the success of these teams, Liz and Molly certainly are part of the picture. Molly is a standout in soccer. Liz is a standout in ice hockey. And they both excel in lacrosse.

They just finished their lacrosse season, leading the Dutchwomen to their second consecutive New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association tournament title, defeating St. John Fisher College, 15-7, in the championship game. Liz was named to the all-tournament team.

Last year, the twins shared Union's award for outstanding female athlete, given to the student- athlete who has shown "desire, dedication, sportsmanship and inspirational leadership on the field of competition as well as in her daily life." It was the first time in the 22-year history of the award that it was split between two people.

"They are both a tremendous asset to the program," said Union head lacrosse coach Linda Bevelander. "Not only because they are extremely talented, but they are also competitive, intense, committed to achieve excellence, and they are very ethical. Although identical in looks, they are two different personalities."

The twins are so identical, they use differently colored sticks and often wear different hairstyles to help teammates tell who's who in practice. The differently numbered jerseys help, obviously, but it can be difficult to tell the two apart during competition.

"They are so identical, the only differences are the expressions on their faces and their demeanors," Bevelander said. "But it took me a year. Our assistant coach still looks at the color of their sticks."

Opponents get a look at their sticks at the hockey rink as well. Molly didn't play her freshman year, but she joined the squad this season, mostly to spend more time with her twin during the long winter recess Union has because of its trimester system.

"I hated being home alone last year when Liz was at school playing hockey," said Molly. "We have never been apart for more than two weeks. That's one of the main reasons I decided to play hockey this year."

Whatever the reason, ice hockey coach Fred Quistgard was pleased to see another Flanagan.

"The chemistry that Liz and Molly display on the ice is amazing since they intuitively know where (the other one is). Molly drives the net for shots more often, while Liz will look to set up someone else before taking the shot," Quistgard said.

The other factor that makes defending the Flanagan twins tricky is that it's hard to keep track of their strengths and weaknesses.

"In hockey I am left-handed and she is right-handed," Liz said. "Just like when I played soccer (in high school) I was right-footed and she is left-footed. Although both of us play ends in lacrosse, I would say that Molly is more offense and I am more defense."

Perhaps the only good way to tell them apart is in the classroom. Molly is majoring in civil engineering and considering an art minor. Liz is majoring in English and sociology.

In their rare spare time, they go to Union College baseball and football games to support yet another multisport Flanagan -- their sophomore cousin, Mike.