Before the 1970s, soccer was almost nonexistent in the United States. Since then, however, it has steadily gained in popularity so that now it is played routinely at the high school level, as well as at a national one.

In Marion County schools, about 900 boys and 700 girls are on varsity soccer rosters. While play at the elementary level is often co-ed, few Marion County high school teams are mixed.

Y-Press spoke with four students who play for North Central High School's varsity soccer teams to find out whether gender affects their play and competition. Kirby Zwickel, 16, and Christy Walkup, 17, play for the girls team; Chris Munroe, 16, and Andy Brown, 18, compete for the boys team. Combined, these athletes have played soccer more than 45 years.

None of them is upset that teams are divided by gender.

"They don't want people getting hurt," Christy said.

"It gives people more opportunities," Kirby said. "Girls cannot keep up with guys in high school. Their shots are 30 times harder than ours. It's not saying that the guys are better than the girls, it's just a known fact that guys are bigger usually and stronger and faster. And girls would not be able to keep up."

Both girls said that by high school, boys and girls have started to mature, and they can no longer compete on the same level.

"High school is pretty much the deadline of where you can't keep up with the boys anymore 'cause they're so fast. . . . The big divider is the speed issue," Kirby said.

The boys agree.

"Guys' soccer is a lot more up-pace . . . there's just a lot more action," Andy said.

"Boys' bodies are different from girls' bodies. The boys team is going to be stronger physically just because of the physical makeup, and that shows in terms of quickness and strength," Chris said.

But the female varsity players think they have an edge, too.

"Our pace with the ball, the way we move the ball, makes up for the speed that the boys have over the girls. So it's really well-balanced," Kirby said.

Both teams have winning records -- the boys finished the season 17-1-1, and the girls 17-4-1 -- and both attract large crowds for games, with the boys usually the bigger draw. Members of the girls team attend the boys' games, and vice versa.

They explained that they appreciate each other's style of play. "It feels good to go to the boys' games. I mean, they're so good and they're so fun to watch, you feel proud because you are a part of that sport," Christy said.

"The guys are incredibly good. To go and watch the boys play, you can just learn and grow as a soccer player yourself," Kirby added.

The boys enjoy seeing the girls play, as well.

"(I) just like to watch and see what the girls are doing. I just appreciate what they're doing," Andy said. "I went to probably almost every home game this year."

They not only attend each other's games, but they console and advise after a defeat.

"There's always competition there. . . . (But) as soon as the (boys) lost this year, the first person that came up to me and said something to me was a guy soccer player. He was like, 'Win it for us,' " Kirby said.

"We are not too competitive with the opposite sex. It's not really that big of an issue because we support each other so much. We come to each other's games. I kind of want to get farther, but they do, too," Christy added.

"There's a little competition, but not too much. . . . Basically, we're just cheering for each other," Andy said.

Traditionally, the boys soccer team has gotten more fan support. But with the rise in popularity of girls soccer, that is changing.

"I think the guys' team receives a little more support just because of our history," Andy said. "A while back, we won four state championships. We've always ranked high, and this year we were ranked third nationally."

Chris agreed. "Our past draws more support," he said. "As far as the school goes, each program gets the same amount of respect, same amount of support."

All players face the same challenges, including balancing schoolwork with their soccer schedules. No one finds this difficult.

"During the soccer season, my grades are usually better than they are in the off-season because I have to get a certain GPA . . . to stay on the team," Kirby said.

"Soccer takes up time, but it doesn't take up enough time that you can't get your schoolwork done," Andy said.

"It forces you to become more organized and plan around your soccer schedule," Chris added.

While some of these athletes have played other sports, all are focusing on soccer in hopes that it results in a college scholarship.

"I played basketball. I unfortunately quit this year, because I'm gonna focus more on soccer for college. Soccer definitely is the Number One priority in my eyes," Kirby said.

"This is what's gonna get me into college," Christy added.

Although there are many differences between boys and girls soccer, it is obvious that both love the game.

"When I have kids, I just really hope that they find something that they love to do like we love soccer," Kirby said.

Reporters: Laura Appelt, 11; Blake Bullerdick, 10; Karley Sentieri, 10.