Hinsdale Central ready
for postseason challenge
By Matt Le Cren
Sidney Turnbull was on a mission as she traversed the halls of Hinsdale Central this winter, and it went beyond just trying to get to class on time.
Turnbull wanted to convince fellow senior Nina Sarros to rejoin the soccer program.
“Totally, I was kind of on her,” Turnbull said. “Whenever I saw her in the hall I was like, ‘Commit to soccer, we need you.’”
Sarros was busy playing for the basketball team during the winter, but when that season ended, she heeded Turnbull’s call. The Red Devils are better off for it, and Sarros has no regrets.
“Oh, I’m so glad,” Sarros said. “It’s so fun.
“There are a lot of seniors … that I played freshman year with, but I also know everyone on the team. It’s just been great to immerse myself in them. They’re all great players.”
Sarros played on the lower levels as a freshman, but opted to play club the past two seasons. That didn’t stop her from contributing to the program, she and junior Carter Knotts served as ball girls last year.
Hinsdale Central coach Tony Madonia is glad to have Sarros working inside the lines instead of outside them.
“Everything I have to say about Nina is probably going to first be about everything that doesn’t take place on the soccer field,” Madonia said. “She just literally lives to serve, and she does everything first class.
“She brings to the team a presence that really gives everybody a sense of security. Then obviously she’s so tactically smart, so coachable and defensively she holds us together.
“She’s that great buffer between our center mids and the back four. It’s just been great to have her on the field.”
The 6-foot-2 Turnbull, who is in her second year on varsity, and the 6-0 Sarros are imposing presences in the midfield for the Red Devils (8-8-3), who figure to be a tough out in the upcoming state playoffs.
Turnbull began the season at center back but has since been moved to holding midfielder, joining Sarros to form an imposing wall that has worked well with the backline of senior Claire Kumskis, junior Ava Elliott, sophomore Julia Marinaccio and freshman Peyton Rohn.
Playing a tough schedule, the Red Devils have given up 28 goals, including four in a three-goal loss to Metea Valley (15-2-1) in Thursday’s regular-season finale at Centennial Field. Hinsdale Central held the Mustangs, who are undefeated against Illinois opponents, scoreless in the first half.
Twenty of the goals allowed were scored in the Red Devils' losses, which have all come against teams that are or were ranked in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 this season.
“Our team does a really good job of playing together and that’s where our strengths lie – a lot of connecting passes and finding each other’s feet rather than the long balls and hoping we get it,” Sarros said. “As a team, we’re just focusing on what we can do to make it better so that we can go further.”
The pairing of Turnbull and Sarros gives the Red Devils a chance to do that. They’ve thrived playing together.
“It’s super fun,” Turnbull said. “I feel like Nina really holds the team down. She’s really good at communicating, getting everyone organized, and it’s super fun to play with her.”
That organization has been vital because the offense has struggled to find the back of the net. The Red Devils have scored only 27 goals, nine of which came in a shutout win against Proviso West last week.
Senior forward Hanna Florence leads the team with seven goals and five assists. Turnbull has four goals – tied with senior forward Hannah Pjesky for second on the team – and two assists.
The lack of scoring hasn’t stunted the Red Devils’ competitiveness. They’ve hung tough with nearly every opponent and are 5-4 in one-goal games. The experience of playing in so many close games will surely be a plus in the playoffs.
“I think it’s important to stay calm, and I think our team does a really good job of keeping everything calm in even the toughest of situations,” Turnbull said. “I feel super confident in our team.
“I think we’ve worked really hard together throughout the season. We’ve had a tough schedule, and I think that’s really prepared us well for playoffs. I’m excited.”
So is Madonia, who loves the leadership he is getting from players like Sarros, Turnbull and Kumskis.
“They’re leading by example,” Madonia said. “It’s not really about them – it’s about the team. That’s their approach.
“They’re not doing it to bring glory (to themselves). They just want everyone to do well.”
That was evident following the loss to Metea Valley. As Madonia conversed with a reporter, Kumskis was talking with Rohn in an otherwise empty stadium.
“I can’t say enough about Claire Kumskis,” Madonia said. “You see her talking to a freshman, giving her some advice. No one sees that.
“It’s so much fun working with mature girls who are willing to self-advocate for themselves, communicate appropriately with each other on and off the field. It helps keep the Hinsdale Central tradition strong.”
That tradition includes 13 regional titles, six sectional championships and three state trophies, which include the 2009 state championship. But the Red Devils’ last regional crown came in 2016, so there is a hunger present.
There also is opportunity. The Red Devils are the fifth seed at the Class 3A Glenbard West Sectional and will visit 10th seed Riverside-Brookfield (11-9-3) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the regional semifinals. Hinsdale Central beat the Bulldogs 3-2 in their third game of the season on March 21.
Riverside-Brookfield has not played as tough of a schedule as the Red Devils, who are battle-tested and peaking at the right time. Hinsdale Central is 5-2-1 in its last eight games, a stretch that includes four-consecutive victories against West Suburban Conference Silver Division opponents.
Click here to see the West Suburban Conference Silver Division standings
One of those wins was a 3-2 overtime decision against second-seeded Glenbard West, which put the Red Devils in the runnerup spot with the Hilltoppers.
Click here to see the Hinsdale Central team page
A win over Riverside-Brookfield will set up a likely regional final matchup with four-seed Morton (15-5-0) at 10 a.m. May 21. The Mustangs finished second in the West Suburban Conference Gold Division. They have played fewer close games and tough opponents and the program has not won a regional since 2012.
Click here to see Morton's team page
There will be no lack of motivation for Sarros and Turnbull, for whom the state tournament will be the final formal competition of their playing careers. Sarros will attend Kansas, where she plans to major in English, while Turnbull is set to go to Wisconsin and is leaning toward studying finance. Neither will play college soccer.
“I’m confident … especially because of the way our team has attacked every practice and game,” Sarros said. “We never give up, no matter the score.
“No matter if we’re ahead or behind, we never give up. That’s evident in our past games; we’ve come from behind on multiple occasions. It’s a testament to how hard we all work and how much that we’re willing to give.”
for postseason challenge
By Matt Le Cren
Sidney Turnbull was on a mission as she traversed the halls of Hinsdale Central this winter, and it went beyond just trying to get to class on time.
Turnbull wanted to convince fellow senior Nina Sarros to rejoin the soccer program.
“Totally, I was kind of on her,” Turnbull said. “Whenever I saw her in the hall I was like, ‘Commit to soccer, we need you.’”
Sarros was busy playing for the basketball team during the winter, but when that season ended, she heeded Turnbull’s call. The Red Devils are better off for it, and Sarros has no regrets.
“Oh, I’m so glad,” Sarros said. “It’s so fun.
“There are a lot of seniors … that I played freshman year with, but I also know everyone on the team. It’s just been great to immerse myself in them. They’re all great players.”
Sarros played on the lower levels as a freshman, but opted to play club the past two seasons. That didn’t stop her from contributing to the program, she and junior Carter Knotts served as ball girls last year.
Hinsdale Central coach Tony Madonia is glad to have Sarros working inside the lines instead of outside them.
“Everything I have to say about Nina is probably going to first be about everything that doesn’t take place on the soccer field,” Madonia said. “She just literally lives to serve, and she does everything first class.
“She brings to the team a presence that really gives everybody a sense of security. Then obviously she’s so tactically smart, so coachable and defensively she holds us together.
“She’s that great buffer between our center mids and the back four. It’s just been great to have her on the field.”
The 6-foot-2 Turnbull, who is in her second year on varsity, and the 6-0 Sarros are imposing presences in the midfield for the Red Devils (8-8-3), who figure to be a tough out in the upcoming state playoffs.
Turnbull began the season at center back but has since been moved to holding midfielder, joining Sarros to form an imposing wall that has worked well with the backline of senior Claire Kumskis, junior Ava Elliott, sophomore Julia Marinaccio and freshman Peyton Rohn.
Playing a tough schedule, the Red Devils have given up 28 goals, including four in a three-goal loss to Metea Valley (15-2-1) in Thursday’s regular-season finale at Centennial Field. Hinsdale Central held the Mustangs, who are undefeated against Illinois opponents, scoreless in the first half.
Twenty of the goals allowed were scored in the Red Devils' losses, which have all come against teams that are or were ranked in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 this season.
“Our team does a really good job of playing together and that’s where our strengths lie – a lot of connecting passes and finding each other’s feet rather than the long balls and hoping we get it,” Sarros said. “As a team, we’re just focusing on what we can do to make it better so that we can go further.”
The pairing of Turnbull and Sarros gives the Red Devils a chance to do that. They’ve thrived playing together.
“It’s super fun,” Turnbull said. “I feel like Nina really holds the team down. She’s really good at communicating, getting everyone organized, and it’s super fun to play with her.”
That organization has been vital because the offense has struggled to find the back of the net. The Red Devils have scored only 27 goals, nine of which came in a shutout win against Proviso West last week.
Senior forward Hanna Florence leads the team with seven goals and five assists. Turnbull has four goals – tied with senior forward Hannah Pjesky for second on the team – and two assists.
The lack of scoring hasn’t stunted the Red Devils’ competitiveness. They’ve hung tough with nearly every opponent and are 5-4 in one-goal games. The experience of playing in so many close games will surely be a plus in the playoffs.
“I think it’s important to stay calm, and I think our team does a really good job of keeping everything calm in even the toughest of situations,” Turnbull said. “I feel super confident in our team.
“I think we’ve worked really hard together throughout the season. We’ve had a tough schedule, and I think that’s really prepared us well for playoffs. I’m excited.”
So is Madonia, who loves the leadership he is getting from players like Sarros, Turnbull and Kumskis.
“They’re leading by example,” Madonia said. “It’s not really about them – it’s about the team. That’s their approach.
“They’re not doing it to bring glory (to themselves). They just want everyone to do well.”
That was evident following the loss to Metea Valley. As Madonia conversed with a reporter, Kumskis was talking with Rohn in an otherwise empty stadium.
“I can’t say enough about Claire Kumskis,” Madonia said. “You see her talking to a freshman, giving her some advice. No one sees that.
“It’s so much fun working with mature girls who are willing to self-advocate for themselves, communicate appropriately with each other on and off the field. It helps keep the Hinsdale Central tradition strong.”
That tradition includes 13 regional titles, six sectional championships and three state trophies, which include the 2009 state championship. But the Red Devils’ last regional crown came in 2016, so there is a hunger present.
There also is opportunity. The Red Devils are the fifth seed at the Class 3A Glenbard West Sectional and will visit 10th seed Riverside-Brookfield (11-9-3) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the regional semifinals. Hinsdale Central beat the Bulldogs 3-2 in their third game of the season on March 21.
Riverside-Brookfield has not played as tough of a schedule as the Red Devils, who are battle-tested and peaking at the right time. Hinsdale Central is 5-2-1 in its last eight games, a stretch that includes four-consecutive victories against West Suburban Conference Silver Division opponents.
Click here to see the West Suburban Conference Silver Division standings
One of those wins was a 3-2 overtime decision against second-seeded Glenbard West, which put the Red Devils in the runnerup spot with the Hilltoppers.
Click here to see the Hinsdale Central team page
A win over Riverside-Brookfield will set up a likely regional final matchup with four-seed Morton (15-5-0) at 10 a.m. May 21. The Mustangs finished second in the West Suburban Conference Gold Division. They have played fewer close games and tough opponents and the program has not won a regional since 2012.
Click here to see Morton's team page
There will be no lack of motivation for Sarros and Turnbull, for whom the state tournament will be the final formal competition of their playing careers. Sarros will attend Kansas, where she plans to major in English, while Turnbull is set to go to Wisconsin and is leaning toward studying finance. Neither will play college soccer.
“I’m confident … especially because of the way our team has attacked every practice and game,” Sarros said. “We never give up, no matter the score.
“No matter if we’re ahead or behind, we never give up. That’s evident in our past games; we’ve come from behind on multiple occasions. It’s a testament to how hard we all work and how much that we’re willing to give.”