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‘Amazing to watch,' Ohio State commit Callie Tumilty is the 2025 Naperville Sun Girls Soccer Player of the Year
‘Amazing to watch,' Ohio State commit Callie Tumilty is the 2025 Naperville Sun Girls Soccer Player of the Year

Chicago Tribune

time18-06-2025

  • Sport
  • Chicago Tribune

‘Amazing to watch,' Ohio State commit Callie Tumilty is the 2025 Naperville Sun Girls Soccer Player of the Year

Naperville Central forward Callie Tumilty's high school career was brief and brilliant. Those who got a chance to watch the Ohio State commit play in her senior year were treated to an athletic display rarely seen at that level. Every time she got the ball, fans knew there was a possibility she would do something memorable. That doesn't surprise Naperville North defender Emily Buescher, who has been Tumilty's club teammate since they were in third grade. 'She's the same player she was since she was little,' Buescher said. 'Now she's just bigger.' Tumilty's impact on the Redhawks in her only season couldn't have been any bigger. The 2025 Naperville Sun Girls Soccer Player of the Year, Tumilty racked up 23 goals and 15 assists in 23 games, setting the single-season program record for goals and tying the mark for points with 61. Tumilty was named the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association's player of the year and became the third All-American in program history, joining Karen Richter (1986) and Washington Spirit defender Casey Krueger (2008). Tumilty combined speed, strength and passing skills to break down defenses with regularity. She was just as likely to shoot accurately with either foot from 30 yards or more as she was to dribble through multiple defenders. Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said Tumilty combined the technical with the physical and the tactical. But that alone did not make her great. 'She has that rare trait that attacking forwards need — that short-term memory,' Adams said. 'You go at somebody, they take it away from you, and the next time you have no fear. 'She has no fear of attacking somebody, and the great thing about attacking players is they've only got to be right once in a while. She definitely has that mindset that 'I'm going to go fast, and I'm going to go at people.'' That's nothing new for Tumilty. She even displayed it when she played varsity basketball as a freshman and sophomore. 'Basically, I just want to win,' she said. 'I hate losing more than anything, so that's kind of where it comes from, and also, you're always going to make mistakes when you play a game. It's part of the game to lose the ball, and if anyone cares if you lose the ball or that you miss a shot, then it's more their problem because it's just part of the game.' Tumilty wasn't always so sanguine. 'That was hard for me to realize when growing up,' she said. 'I would always get a little bit caught on the last play, but realistically it doesn't really matter because until the buzzer beeps, you always have time to make something happen. 'That's kind of how I look at things — like there's always another chance. Obviously, it wasn't so at the Neuqua game.' The Redhawks (20-2-1) had a terrific season end in a 1-0 loss to Neuqua Valley in the Class 3A sectional semifinals on May 27. The Wildcats were the only team to beat the Redhawks this season. It was a tough pill for Tumilty and her teammates to swallow. But she made a lot of things happen, leading the Redhawks to DuPage Valley Conference and regional titles. They also won the prestigious Naperville Invitational for the first time since 2012, a special memory for Tumilty. 'The Naperville Invite really showed what team we could be, and it really brought us together because we played five top competitors that week,' she said. 'I think that we had the hardest schedule in the state by far.' Tumilty, who played club soccer for her first two years and then was out of action for 16 months following ACL surgery, relished every moment. 'I always wanted to play school soccer,' she said. 'Now that it's over, I was really grateful that I got to play. Obviously, winning state was a goal, but the fact that I got the opportunity to even play high school soccer, especially after my injury, was huge.' Everyone was glad she did. Adams was pleased to see Tumilty take his advice and use it to adapt and improve. Buescher, a Minnesota recruit who will play against Tumilty in the Big Ten, said high school soccer was better for having Tumilty participate. 'We always say she's built for high school soccer,' Buescher said. 'This is where she thrives, so it's been amazing to watch her and cheer her on.' When asked what her legacy will be, Tumilty referred to her decision to play for the Redhawks. 'That it's never too late,' she said. 'Because if you want to play high school soccer, just do it.'

Ohio State recruit Callie Tumilty is ready for her high school soccer debut. So is Naperville Central.
Ohio State recruit Callie Tumilty is ready for her high school soccer debut. So is Naperville Central.

Chicago Tribune

time12-03-2025

  • Sport
  • Chicago Tribune

Ohio State recruit Callie Tumilty is ready for her high school soccer debut. So is Naperville Central.

Naperville Central senior Callie Tumilty's high school soccer debut is coming a year later than planned. The Ohio State recruit intended to suit up for the Redhawks last season after she played club soccer during her freshman and sophomore years. But Tumilty suffered a torn ACL during a club tournament in Michigan in October 2023, an injury that ended her basketball career. 'The knee feels great,' she said. 'I have no issues with it. I almost feel stronger coming back because my injury really taught me adversity and to really work for what I was given. 'I've not really taken advantage of what my opportunities have been, so that really taught to me to work for what was given to me.' Tumilty worked out with the Redhawks last spring while she recovered from her surgery, doing only noncontact work. She could only watch as Naperville Central made a surprise run to the Class 3A supersectional, and that whetted her appetite even more. 'Honestly, I have fallen in love with the sport more than I was earlier,' Tumilty said. 'I'm not taking anything for granted, and I've developed a closer relationship with my past teammates and upcoming teammates because they've really helped me push through it for sure.' Tumilty returned to action in February and played four games with her club team before joining the Redhawks. She said Ohio State's coaches allowed her to play high school soccer this season, although with conditions. She will leave for Ohio State in June. 'They are restricting me on a couple of things with the high school because I'm coming back from that injury and prepping for their season,' Tumilty said. 'I'm kind of limited a little bit because the amount of games that we play during the high school season is a lot different from what my club looks like.' Tumilty will be on a minutes restriction and is unlikely to play full games, but that actually might be a good thing for the Redhawks. 'I don't see the restrictions being an issue,' Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said. 'One of the biggest challenges is getting everybody the minutes they deserve, so they will probably be the same she'd play any way.' Tumilty is a welcome addition to a team that returns 13 players, including nine starters. Naperville Central junior goalkeeper Erin Hackett, who scored her 1,000th career point during this past basketball season, is looking forward to having Tumilty on the field. 'She's going to bring a lot to the team, especially on the offensive end,' Hackett said. 'I think she will score most of the time and help with the ball movement out there, getting other girls the ball, getting them better chances.' Tumilty joins an already potent attack that includes seniors Bella Brozek and Rebecca Ruggiero, junior Malia Shen and sophomore Emerson Burke. If Tumilty plays outside opposite Brozek, a Green Bay commit, the Redhawks will have a dangerous pair of speedy and efficient wingers. 'I consider myself a pretty quick player, but I also know a lot of quick players, so I don't think I stand out too much in that realm,' Tumilty said. 'But my strength is really my technical ability on the ball. 'I love 1v1s, and right now I'm really working on hitting our other offensive players on the crosses. I feel like I'm a big impact going down the wings. I'm super competitive.' Hackett saw that competitiveness firsthand when she and Tumilty played varsity basketball during the 2022-23 season. Now Hackett is getting a look at it on the soccer field. 'I've never played soccer with her,' Hackett said. 'When we were younger, we would always play against each other. We were never on the same team. 'She's really energetic and kind of in their face. If they have the ball, she really wants to win it so that we can keep the ball in their half.' Adams said Tumilty has fit in nicely. 'Callie is really good about asking questions and trying to figure out what are we looking to do,' Adams said. 'Anytime somebody is joining in with a lot of returning players, there is a learning piece to how does everybody else work and what is this team looking to do. 'Good players can make adjustments, and she'll be a great piece to add in.' Tumilty wants the Redhawks to keep up their momentum from last season, when they won their first sectional title since 1995. She's not picky about how they utilize her talents. 'I'll probably play up top, it's looking like,' Tumilty said. 'I'm kind of here for anything, especially that I'm joining the team a little late. 'I don't really care where I play. I've never played high school soccer before, obviously, so I'm just looking to help support the team and hopefully finish with that final goal of that state championship.'

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