2 sports = 1 great run
for Hinsdale Central's Cernugel
By Dave Owen
Hinsdale Central’s Sarah Cernugel clearly doesn’t like to sit still for too long.
Her tireless efforts for the Red Devils’ varsity soccer team since freshman year were just one part of her athletic story.
The past three winters, she played guard on Hinsdale Central’s varsity girls basketball squad.
“Basketball and soccer are obviously very different,” Cernugel said, “but I think they have skills and lessons that you can use in both. I really enjoyed playing two sports, and highly recommend it.”
In an age of specialization in sports, Cernugel was typically going nonstop from early November to late May.
“I thought that it was relatively easy to handle back-to-back seasons with basketball and soccer,” Cernugel said. “I was already on the schedule of having practice every day after school and playing games every week, so the transition was easy.
“I usually got a week in between each season to rest, get ahead on school work, and prepare mentally for the next season.
“It’s definitely a lot to participate in two sports and manage school,” Cernugel added, “but it taught me a lot about time management.”
And in truth, Cernugel was actually balancing three sports over the winter and spring.
“I did play club indoor soccer during the winter, but I made basketball my priority,” she said. “I missed out on a few high school soccer preseason workouts while playing basketball, but basketball kept me in shape and the soccer games played with my club helped me maintain my skills.”
Cernugel couldn’t have made the balancing act work without some help.
“I would not have been able to play both soccer and basketball in high school without the support of my amazing Wizard FC coach, John Roberts,” she said.
“Not many coaches will schedule soccer games to avoid conflicts with basketball, but a great coach like him will. He’s always been supportive of me playing both basketball and soccer, and I truly appreciate it.”
When it comes to Hinsdale Central soccer, Cernugel also had plenty of gratitude to the series of coaches who helped her develop into a standout player.
The first was Michael Smith, who coached the Red Devils to second place in Class 3A in 2009. His final season at the helm came in 2017, Cernugel’s freshman year.
“My freshman year I did not expect to be on the varsity team,” she said, “but I am so thankful that coach Smith gave me that opportunity.
“He is a very competitive person, and always knew how to get the best out of each player. He was tough and held everyone to high standards. He really helped me transition to high school soccer, and pushed me to be the best player I could be.”
Bryan Ciesiulka took over as coach sophomore year.
“Coach Ciesiulka really helped me see how versatile of a player I was,” Cernugel said. “He played me as a defender for the first time in my life, and helped me become a threat from the backline.
“When he was named head coach, he was not that far removed from playing college soccer (an all-conference midfielder at Marquette) and he always had great drills that prepared us for our games. He was a very supportive coach.”
Ciesiulka left after one year, but the familiar presence of current Red Devils mentor Tony Madonia helped Cernugel and the team continue to progress in 2019.
“Coach Madonia was an assistant coach my first two years,” she said. “All four years he has helped me become a better player.
“He’s always working to find ways to make our team better. His work ethic and perseverance have been a great example for us players. He prepares us so well and always tries to put us in the best position to succeed.
“He (Madonia) believes in me as a player and has high expectations for us,” Cernugel added. “He has motivated me and given me the skills I need to play at a high level.”
Over the three years, the growth in skills in the Red Devils’ young nucleus of 2017 was matched by rapid growth in the win column.
Cernugel, Olivia Rayis, goalkeeper Fiona Fitzsimons, Haley Arnold, Jackie Roberts, Caroline Fryzel and Alyssa Moncrief were all freshmen on the 2017 varsity, which also featured 11 sophomores, four juniors and sole senior Erin Otto (three-year starter at Carthage).
Playing in top tournaments and the tough West Suburban Conference Silver Division, a 2-15-3 record that year was the not unexpected result for what had to be one of the youngest teams in the state.
But competitive results late in the season (2-1 losses to Benet and sectional finalist Lyons, and 3-1 to Class 3A semifinalist Downers Grove North) foretold better times soon to come.
By 2018, the Red Devils had jumped to an 8-11-2 record, including 4-2-0 in conference. And the improvement carried over to the postseason.
“My most memorable soccer team moment was our overtime playoff win against Willowbrook in 2018,” Cernugel said. “It was a great defensive battle that went into overtime 0-0. Then off a great cross (by Maddie Lynch), one of our forwards (Haley Arnold) headed it into the goal for the 1-0 win.
“It was awesome to get a playoff win a year after winning only two games the season before. It was such a high-intensity game against a great team, and the win allowed us to keep the season going for the seniors. It was a phenomenal team performance.”
With Cernugel leading the Red Devils in scoring, 2019 resulted in seven wins and another 4-2-0 conference record.
This time, three of the WSC Silver wins came by shutouts, and the 11 losses featured a who’s who of quality foes, including state champ Naperville North, fourth place Lyons, St. Charles East, Batavia and Waubonsie Valley.
While the COVID-19 virus erased the 2020 season, the huge strides made in three years can’t be diminished. And five of the seven freshmen (Cernugel, Fitzsimons, Rayis, Moncrief and Arnold) were on board from start to finish.
“All of us freshmen in 2017 were so excited to be on varsity,” Cernugel said, “but we knew we would have to work very hard for playing time.
“I think we banded together as a group and pushed each other to our highest potential.
“Everyone was so supportive of each other and wanted to see each other succeed. Starting that first year and only winning two games was really hard, but it made us want to work even harder to keep improving every year.”
The improvement appeared likely to reach its peak this spring. Then, virus concerns shut down schools and athletic dreams nationwide.
“We had always looked forward to senior year,” Cernugel said, “and felt like it would be our year to show everyone what we could accomplish after three years of experience and hard work.
“It is extremely disappointing our senior season will not happen this year, but I’m thankful to have had those girls with me as we made our journey through the years. They pushed me, encouraged me, and showed me what it is like to be a great teammate.”
And the progress the five freshmen turned senior leaders helped create made it even more worthwhile.
“It feels great that we were able to spark a turnaround in the program,” Cernugel said. “The years right before we entered high school, the soccer team was very successful.
“We’ve always wanted to return to that high standard, and the program is definitely going in the right direction. It was awesome for us to play a part in that.”
And thanks to basketball, Cernugel had two sports’ worth of awesome experiences to savor.
“The most memorable basketball game was our playoff win this year against Proviso East,” Cernugel said. “We were the underdogs and had not won a playoff game in a couple of years.
“We played the best we had all year and got a big win. I think what made it so great was that we controlled the pace of the game and, being such big underdogs, beating a conference champion was a great confidence boost.
“It was an awesome way to finish out my senior year and it was awesome that everyone on our team made significant contributions.”
Individually, a few stand out among a myriad of plays in two sports.
“The most memorable individual basketball moment for me was probably either my first points on varsity, which was a three-pointer against LT (Lyons) my sophomore year, or a half-court shot I hit against York my junior year,” Cernugel said.
“In soccer (it) was scoring my first goal my freshman year against Glenbard West,” she added. “Every time I score a goal it's an unbelievable feeling, but the first one of my high school career will always be special.”
While many high school athletes try multiple sports as freshmen and then choose one to focus on, Cernugel never wanted to make that decision.
“I had great experiences in both sports,” she said.
“I love basketball because of how fast paced it is and how many opportunities you have to score or win the ball back. I really love how soccer requires you to work so hard for each goal and how much teamwork it takes to win.
“(But) if I had to choose,” Cernugel added, “I would say soccer is my favorite sport because I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”
Years of playing soccer and a literal world of experiences make the difference.
“I’ve played since I was five years old,” Cernugel said, “and have played for my club team, Wizard FC, since I was eight.
“My teammates have become like sisters, and we’ve had amazing experiences. I’ve gotten to play all over the world in places like Sweden, Denmark, Italy and England.
“Club soccer has given me amazing opportunities and experiences, but there is nothing like playing for your school,” Cernugel added. “High school soccer gives you memories to last a lifetime.”
And as for college, Cernugel may not be done with soccer.
“I’ve narrowed it down to two schools,” she said. “I will either be attending Boston College and double majoring in Elementary Education and Biology, or I will be attending Saint Mary’s College in Indiana to study Elementary Education and play soccer.”
With future plans to teach and coach, Cernugel hopes to pass on some of the joy athletics have given her.
“One of the coolest things about playing sports is the growth that comes over the years,” she said. “I would have never expected to have the experiences I’ve had over the years without the opportunity to play sports.”
And the last four years have been the icing on the cake.
“High school sports are so special, and (the years) fly by,” Cernugel said. “I am so thankful to have been able to play for Hinsdale Central.”
for Hinsdale Central's Cernugel
By Dave Owen
Hinsdale Central’s Sarah Cernugel clearly doesn’t like to sit still for too long.
Her tireless efforts for the Red Devils’ varsity soccer team since freshman year were just one part of her athletic story.
The past three winters, she played guard on Hinsdale Central’s varsity girls basketball squad.
“Basketball and soccer are obviously very different,” Cernugel said, “but I think they have skills and lessons that you can use in both. I really enjoyed playing two sports, and highly recommend it.”
In an age of specialization in sports, Cernugel was typically going nonstop from early November to late May.
“I thought that it was relatively easy to handle back-to-back seasons with basketball and soccer,” Cernugel said. “I was already on the schedule of having practice every day after school and playing games every week, so the transition was easy.
“I usually got a week in between each season to rest, get ahead on school work, and prepare mentally for the next season.
“It’s definitely a lot to participate in two sports and manage school,” Cernugel added, “but it taught me a lot about time management.”
And in truth, Cernugel was actually balancing three sports over the winter and spring.
“I did play club indoor soccer during the winter, but I made basketball my priority,” she said. “I missed out on a few high school soccer preseason workouts while playing basketball, but basketball kept me in shape and the soccer games played with my club helped me maintain my skills.”
Cernugel couldn’t have made the balancing act work without some help.
“I would not have been able to play both soccer and basketball in high school without the support of my amazing Wizard FC coach, John Roberts,” she said.
“Not many coaches will schedule soccer games to avoid conflicts with basketball, but a great coach like him will. He’s always been supportive of me playing both basketball and soccer, and I truly appreciate it.”
When it comes to Hinsdale Central soccer, Cernugel also had plenty of gratitude to the series of coaches who helped her develop into a standout player.
The first was Michael Smith, who coached the Red Devils to second place in Class 3A in 2009. His final season at the helm came in 2017, Cernugel’s freshman year.
“My freshman year I did not expect to be on the varsity team,” she said, “but I am so thankful that coach Smith gave me that opportunity.
“He is a very competitive person, and always knew how to get the best out of each player. He was tough and held everyone to high standards. He really helped me transition to high school soccer, and pushed me to be the best player I could be.”
Bryan Ciesiulka took over as coach sophomore year.
“Coach Ciesiulka really helped me see how versatile of a player I was,” Cernugel said. “He played me as a defender for the first time in my life, and helped me become a threat from the backline.
“When he was named head coach, he was not that far removed from playing college soccer (an all-conference midfielder at Marquette) and he always had great drills that prepared us for our games. He was a very supportive coach.”
Ciesiulka left after one year, but the familiar presence of current Red Devils mentor Tony Madonia helped Cernugel and the team continue to progress in 2019.
“Coach Madonia was an assistant coach my first two years,” she said. “All four years he has helped me become a better player.
“He’s always working to find ways to make our team better. His work ethic and perseverance have been a great example for us players. He prepares us so well and always tries to put us in the best position to succeed.
“He (Madonia) believes in me as a player and has high expectations for us,” Cernugel added. “He has motivated me and given me the skills I need to play at a high level.”
Over the three years, the growth in skills in the Red Devils’ young nucleus of 2017 was matched by rapid growth in the win column.
Cernugel, Olivia Rayis, goalkeeper Fiona Fitzsimons, Haley Arnold, Jackie Roberts, Caroline Fryzel and Alyssa Moncrief were all freshmen on the 2017 varsity, which also featured 11 sophomores, four juniors and sole senior Erin Otto (three-year starter at Carthage).
Playing in top tournaments and the tough West Suburban Conference Silver Division, a 2-15-3 record that year was the not unexpected result for what had to be one of the youngest teams in the state.
But competitive results late in the season (2-1 losses to Benet and sectional finalist Lyons, and 3-1 to Class 3A semifinalist Downers Grove North) foretold better times soon to come.
By 2018, the Red Devils had jumped to an 8-11-2 record, including 4-2-0 in conference. And the improvement carried over to the postseason.
“My most memorable soccer team moment was our overtime playoff win against Willowbrook in 2018,” Cernugel said. “It was a great defensive battle that went into overtime 0-0. Then off a great cross (by Maddie Lynch), one of our forwards (Haley Arnold) headed it into the goal for the 1-0 win.
“It was awesome to get a playoff win a year after winning only two games the season before. It was such a high-intensity game against a great team, and the win allowed us to keep the season going for the seniors. It was a phenomenal team performance.”
With Cernugel leading the Red Devils in scoring, 2019 resulted in seven wins and another 4-2-0 conference record.
This time, three of the WSC Silver wins came by shutouts, and the 11 losses featured a who’s who of quality foes, including state champ Naperville North, fourth place Lyons, St. Charles East, Batavia and Waubonsie Valley.
While the COVID-19 virus erased the 2020 season, the huge strides made in three years can’t be diminished. And five of the seven freshmen (Cernugel, Fitzsimons, Rayis, Moncrief and Arnold) were on board from start to finish.
“All of us freshmen in 2017 were so excited to be on varsity,” Cernugel said, “but we knew we would have to work very hard for playing time.
“I think we banded together as a group and pushed each other to our highest potential.
“Everyone was so supportive of each other and wanted to see each other succeed. Starting that first year and only winning two games was really hard, but it made us want to work even harder to keep improving every year.”
The improvement appeared likely to reach its peak this spring. Then, virus concerns shut down schools and athletic dreams nationwide.
“We had always looked forward to senior year,” Cernugel said, “and felt like it would be our year to show everyone what we could accomplish after three years of experience and hard work.
“It is extremely disappointing our senior season will not happen this year, but I’m thankful to have had those girls with me as we made our journey through the years. They pushed me, encouraged me, and showed me what it is like to be a great teammate.”
And the progress the five freshmen turned senior leaders helped create made it even more worthwhile.
“It feels great that we were able to spark a turnaround in the program,” Cernugel said. “The years right before we entered high school, the soccer team was very successful.
“We’ve always wanted to return to that high standard, and the program is definitely going in the right direction. It was awesome for us to play a part in that.”
And thanks to basketball, Cernugel had two sports’ worth of awesome experiences to savor.
“The most memorable basketball game was our playoff win this year against Proviso East,” Cernugel said. “We were the underdogs and had not won a playoff game in a couple of years.
“We played the best we had all year and got a big win. I think what made it so great was that we controlled the pace of the game and, being such big underdogs, beating a conference champion was a great confidence boost.
“It was an awesome way to finish out my senior year and it was awesome that everyone on our team made significant contributions.”
Individually, a few stand out among a myriad of plays in two sports.
“The most memorable individual basketball moment for me was probably either my first points on varsity, which was a three-pointer against LT (Lyons) my sophomore year, or a half-court shot I hit against York my junior year,” Cernugel said.
“In soccer (it) was scoring my first goal my freshman year against Glenbard West,” she added. “Every time I score a goal it's an unbelievable feeling, but the first one of my high school career will always be special.”
While many high school athletes try multiple sports as freshmen and then choose one to focus on, Cernugel never wanted to make that decision.
“I had great experiences in both sports,” she said.
“I love basketball because of how fast paced it is and how many opportunities you have to score or win the ball back. I really love how soccer requires you to work so hard for each goal and how much teamwork it takes to win.
“(But) if I had to choose,” Cernugel added, “I would say soccer is my favorite sport because I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”
Years of playing soccer and a literal world of experiences make the difference.
“I’ve played since I was five years old,” Cernugel said, “and have played for my club team, Wizard FC, since I was eight.
“My teammates have become like sisters, and we’ve had amazing experiences. I’ve gotten to play all over the world in places like Sweden, Denmark, Italy and England.
“Club soccer has given me amazing opportunities and experiences, but there is nothing like playing for your school,” Cernugel added. “High school soccer gives you memories to last a lifetime.”
And as for college, Cernugel may not be done with soccer.
“I’ve narrowed it down to two schools,” she said. “I will either be attending Boston College and double majoring in Elementary Education and Biology, or I will be attending Saint Mary’s College in Indiana to study Elementary Education and play soccer.”
With future plans to teach and coach, Cernugel hopes to pass on some of the joy athletics have given her.
“One of the coolest things about playing sports is the growth that comes over the years,” she said. “I would have never expected to have the experiences I’ve had over the years without the opportunity to play sports.”
And the last four years have been the icing on the cake.
“High school sports are so special, and (the years) fly by,” Cernugel said. “I am so thankful to have been able to play for Hinsdale Central.”