If one were to watch Oregon women soccer players Bri Pugh and Kristen Parr attempt what looks like a high-five, you’d notice that the execution between the two is mutually amiss. That is because they prefer to slap wrists to emphasize their shared inspiration with a note on the inside of both of their wrists that reads : Like a boy.

At the end of last winter Pugh and Parr wanted to find something to bring them closer together: a shared bond.

“In the past couple of years their growth as individuals and as athletes has been tremendous,” assistant coach Christie Welsh said. “It’s awesome to see them interact with each other the way they do.”

Their symbol brings to mind the contrast of gender. But after being let into the know of “like a boy,” which took multiple attempts, Pugh and Parr described that they’re inspired by the way they’ve seen boys play both professionally and in college rather than trying to be someone they’re not.

“Boys do these amazing shots and these amazing things and we were like, ‘Why can’t we do that?’” Pugh said. “Not that girls don’t do this, but I think that’s where our inspiration came from.”

It was one day at practice when the two forwards decided to put their catch phrase into affect. The two were “bagging” their shorts and decided to play as they imagined they could.

“It was more to bring something like, how can we impact the game to the best of our ability,” Pugh said.

And the result of applying their new, inspired play?

“We ended up playing really well,” Parr added.

Since playing “like a boy”, the two have supported each other in a way in which they don’t shy away from any opportunity. The mindset where either Parr or Pugh might have hesitated on opportunities is behind them. Now, they have each other to support one another to play the way they want.

“Guys take crazy shots and I think girls kind of get complacent about it,” Pugh said. “We were like, screw that. We’re going to play like a boy and we’re going to take a crazy shot and it’s going to go in.”

Every time before they play they remind each other.

“I’m going to hit your arm right now and we’re ready to go and I’m going to have your back,” Parr said.

To them, there is nothing to lose. And what has come from their bond has not only been heightened by support and confidence on the field, but it has also brought the two even closer off the field.

“It’s just kind of something we do together, something we can fall back on,” Parr said. “It symbolizes the two of us and we know that we have each other’s back.”

Pugh echoed similar thoughts.

“You have your teammates to talk to but it’s always just the one person that is going to tell you the right thing and get you back into check,” Pugh added. “Like a sister.”

The two “equal” each other out, a perfect fit. And when things “hit rock bottom” and they have each other to turn to, that’s the true meaning of their “like a boy.”

Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3