Sydney Gusewelle, who graduated in June after leading the Lady Wave soccer team to the postseason in her final year, will continue her career at Newberry College in South Carolina.
Each year, the team was closer to achieving its goal of making the playoffs.
In her final season, Sydney Gusewelle was determined not to leave the Greenwave empty handed. Fallon made the postseason for the first time during her four years with the program as Gusewelle is now onto making a name for herself at the Division II level this fall.
“Going into my senior year, I was excited for one last opportunity to play for my hometown alongside some of my best friends,” she said. “Playing soccer for CCHS is where I have made some of the best memories that I will remember forever. I also wanted to be a role model to the younger members of our team. I became quite close with some of them and watched their improvement throughout the season.”
Gusewelle, who was also the boys basketball team’s manager, heads across the country and will suit up for Newberry College in South Carolina. The pandemic and her shortened junior season made the recruiting process challenging.
“Balancing sending out emails, putting together highlight videos and making sure I did everything I could to get recruited while keeping grades up and driving to Reno three nights a week for practice was a very stressful time,” she said. “It was all worth it when I would hear back from a coach. Learning about the different programs they had to offer and hearing the pride each coach took in their team was inspiring.”
Gusewelle had interest from multiple programs, and she toured a few on the East Coast, except Newberry. Everything was done on the phone or through Skype videos, but Gusewelle knew the Wolves’ soccer school was her home away from home.
“Although I love being around my family, I knew for college I wanted to go somewhere away from home where I would have the opportunity to try something totally new,” Gusewelle said. “I have been in love with the East Coast all my life and knew I could see myself living there.
“Unfortunately, I was not able to visit the campus before committing but after hearing all the wonderful things from both the coaches and players, I was not worried.”
Gusewelle, though, said her family’s support helped her realize her dream could be a reality.
“My family was my rock throughout my soccer career. They continuously pushed me to do the best I could in everything I did,” she said. “My parents drove me endless hours in support of me and my dream. I would not be where I am without their unconditional love and support.”
Gusewelle will go from playing in the state’s second-largest division to the country’s second largest when she suits up for the Wolves, who play in South Atlantic Conference. At Fallon, she ended her career on a high note by collecting First Team, All-League, All-Region and All-State honors as well as being named the team’s MVP and offensive MVP. She joins a program that finished 7-11 last fall and lost 1-0 to No. 9 Catawba College in the SAC tournament.
Gusewelle’s excited for the opportunity and credits her Reno club coach, Nick Arbalaez, for pushing her during the most critical period.
“He always pushed me to do my best and believed in my abilities,” she said. “Coach Nick was constantly reaching out to coaches on my behalf and taking my team to tournaments where I had the highest chance of being seen. He knew the potential I had, which inspired me to play the best soccer I could and helped me get to the next level.”
