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.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
