Team preview: Hinsdale Central
By Dave Owen
Sarah Cernugel is one of four Hinsdale Central seniors who have been up on varsity since their freshman season of 2017.
The Red Devils’ leader in points last spring, Cernugel hoped that this season would continue the squad’s progression from that two-win campaign three years ago to 15 wins in the past two years (including a 7-11-2 mark a year ago).
Instead, a worldwide pandemic has put the soccer season on hold. But that hasn’t derailed Cernugel’s enthusiasm for when play resumes.
“Obviously, the season did not start how we expected it to because of the coronavirus,” she said. “But all of the girls are eager to get back out onto the field.”
Before the freeze on spring sports, optimism was rising fast.
“We had already had a couple team meetings where we were able to talk about our keys to success for the season,” Cernugel said. “We are all on the same page with our goals and what we have to do to achieve them.
“We’ve talked a lot about how team chemistry and working together as one unit will make everything run much smoother. Already, we have gotten to become a close group, which will greatly benefit us when we get back to playing.”
When that happens, 2019 all-sectional player Cernugel will be part of a promising mix of varsity veterans and talented newcomers.
Another key fourth-year varsity player is defender Olivia Rayis, an all-conference selection last spring.
“She’s a captain leading us from the back as a center back,” third-year Red Devils coach Tony Madonia said.
Another proven defensive leader is Fiona Fitzsimons, a four-year varsity goalkeeper and captain.
Defender Alyssa Moncrief and forward Haley Arnold round out the group of holdovers from the 2017 varsity.
The Red Devils’ midfield has an outstanding anchor in senior Haley Paulson, an all-conference player a year ago.
“She’s the strongest, most selfless teammate who has kept the middle of the field extremely strong and steady for us last season and again this season,” Madonia said.
The proven group of seniors will mix with a band of newcomers expected to make a major impact.
Junior Emma Elliot is one.
“An elite talent at the attacking mid position,” Madonia said, “(who) will bring us more stability and offensive opportunities.”
Junior Francesca Schiavitti will carry similar importance at a defender spot.
“Strong commitment and determination,” Madonia said. “She pushes the grit level of our team to a new high and is filling the role as a leader next to Olivia at center back this year.”
Senior Mia Wingren plans to make an impact in her varsity debut at a forward spot.
And looking at the longer term future of the Red Devils, midfielders Carter Knott and Maddy Panveno figure to play a huge role then and now.
“They are two new dynamic freshmen,” Madonia said.
The Red Devils’ team dynamic has impressed Cernugel.
“We have a great mix of girls from all grades,”she said. "We have made so much progress from our first practice to our last one.
“Our progress is much attributed to coach Madonia and (assistant) coach (Maura) Langevin. They have put a lot of work in over the offseason to make this season a successful one.
“Even though we only got a small glimpse of what our team is like,” Cernugel added, "it's obvious that everyone has a very strong work ethic, and our team has tons of talent.”
Even with the loss of a strong 2019 senior nucleus led by Caroline Lyman (who started two games as a freshman at Missouri), Madonia sees potential for very good things.
“Though we lost a solid group of seniors, a lot of girls are comfortably and confidently filling roles, whether new or familiar,” he said.
“That’s what makes this team so exciting – from our two dynamic freshman and newcomers pushing the pace on and off the field, as well as our upperclassman and returners leading by example, and willing to be vulnerable with the group.
“A lot of strong characteristics on this ball club,” Madonia added, “that very much translate to our team’s definition of what success is. I have yet to see a team mesh this well on the girls side.”
But as that optimism grew amid anticipation for the March 19 opening game vs. Cary-Grove, it all faded into a pandemic-induced waiting game.
"It's just disappointing and came as a shock to everyone," Madonia said. "We have a strongly connected team, and the first two weeks could not have really gone any better in all aspects. This is a special group."
While practices are off, preparations continue and high hopes remain for when the season resumes.
“We started some initiatives to keep us connected as a team and a program this week,” Madonia said. "And we will add some things throughout the next couple of weeks as well.
“We will be prepared to start as soon as we are given the green light. We are all antsy and miss each other, as I am sure that is the same story for all spring athletic teams right now in the state. We are just remembering to ‘control the controllable.’”
Cernugel can’t wait to see the Red Devils be able to take control of their destiny.
“There is so much excitement coming into the season from all the girls and our coaches,” she said. “We are all just very motivated, and want to keep building on the progress our program has made in recent years.
“I’m really excited to play my senior season with such a great group of girls. From just our first couple practices, I am very optimistic about what this team has in store.”
Click here to see the Red Devils team page!
By Dave Owen
Sarah Cernugel is one of four Hinsdale Central seniors who have been up on varsity since their freshman season of 2017.
The Red Devils’ leader in points last spring, Cernugel hoped that this season would continue the squad’s progression from that two-win campaign three years ago to 15 wins in the past two years (including a 7-11-2 mark a year ago).
Instead, a worldwide pandemic has put the soccer season on hold. But that hasn’t derailed Cernugel’s enthusiasm for when play resumes.
“Obviously, the season did not start how we expected it to because of the coronavirus,” she said. “But all of the girls are eager to get back out onto the field.”
Before the freeze on spring sports, optimism was rising fast.
“We had already had a couple team meetings where we were able to talk about our keys to success for the season,” Cernugel said. “We are all on the same page with our goals and what we have to do to achieve them.
“We’ve talked a lot about how team chemistry and working together as one unit will make everything run much smoother. Already, we have gotten to become a close group, which will greatly benefit us when we get back to playing.”
When that happens, 2019 all-sectional player Cernugel will be part of a promising mix of varsity veterans and talented newcomers.
Another key fourth-year varsity player is defender Olivia Rayis, an all-conference selection last spring.
“She’s a captain leading us from the back as a center back,” third-year Red Devils coach Tony Madonia said.
Another proven defensive leader is Fiona Fitzsimons, a four-year varsity goalkeeper and captain.
Defender Alyssa Moncrief and forward Haley Arnold round out the group of holdovers from the 2017 varsity.
The Red Devils’ midfield has an outstanding anchor in senior Haley Paulson, an all-conference player a year ago.
“She’s the strongest, most selfless teammate who has kept the middle of the field extremely strong and steady for us last season and again this season,” Madonia said.
The proven group of seniors will mix with a band of newcomers expected to make a major impact.
Junior Emma Elliot is one.
“An elite talent at the attacking mid position,” Madonia said, “(who) will bring us more stability and offensive opportunities.”
Junior Francesca Schiavitti will carry similar importance at a defender spot.
“Strong commitment and determination,” Madonia said. “She pushes the grit level of our team to a new high and is filling the role as a leader next to Olivia at center back this year.”
Senior Mia Wingren plans to make an impact in her varsity debut at a forward spot.
And looking at the longer term future of the Red Devils, midfielders Carter Knott and Maddy Panveno figure to play a huge role then and now.
“They are two new dynamic freshmen,” Madonia said.
The Red Devils’ team dynamic has impressed Cernugel.
“We have a great mix of girls from all grades,”she said. "We have made so much progress from our first practice to our last one.
“Our progress is much attributed to coach Madonia and (assistant) coach (Maura) Langevin. They have put a lot of work in over the offseason to make this season a successful one.
“Even though we only got a small glimpse of what our team is like,” Cernugel added, "it's obvious that everyone has a very strong work ethic, and our team has tons of talent.”
Even with the loss of a strong 2019 senior nucleus led by Caroline Lyman (who started two games as a freshman at Missouri), Madonia sees potential for very good things.
“Though we lost a solid group of seniors, a lot of girls are comfortably and confidently filling roles, whether new or familiar,” he said.
“That’s what makes this team so exciting – from our two dynamic freshman and newcomers pushing the pace on and off the field, as well as our upperclassman and returners leading by example, and willing to be vulnerable with the group.
“A lot of strong characteristics on this ball club,” Madonia added, “that very much translate to our team’s definition of what success is. I have yet to see a team mesh this well on the girls side.”
But as that optimism grew amid anticipation for the March 19 opening game vs. Cary-Grove, it all faded into a pandemic-induced waiting game.
"It's just disappointing and came as a shock to everyone," Madonia said. "We have a strongly connected team, and the first two weeks could not have really gone any better in all aspects. This is a special group."
While practices are off, preparations continue and high hopes remain for when the season resumes.
“We started some initiatives to keep us connected as a team and a program this week,” Madonia said. "And we will add some things throughout the next couple of weeks as well.
“We will be prepared to start as soon as we are given the green light. We are all antsy and miss each other, as I am sure that is the same story for all spring athletic teams right now in the state. We are just remembering to ‘control the controllable.’”
Cernugel can’t wait to see the Red Devils be able to take control of their destiny.
“There is so much excitement coming into the season from all the girls and our coaches,” she said. “We are all just very motivated, and want to keep building on the progress our program has made in recent years.
“I’m really excited to play my senior season with such a great group of girls. From just our first couple practices, I am very optimistic about what this team has in store.”
Click here to see the Red Devils team page!