Copyright Chicago Tribune
Naperville Central junior midfielder Nicole Sacek approached the college recruiting process with an open mind. She had no preconceived notions. “I believe that everything happens for a reason, and so the whole process was just a learning journey for me,” Sacek said. “Location-wise, or big school or small school, none of that really mattered to me. “I was more looking for a place where I could grow as a player and a person, and obviously being part of a competitive and disciplined team definitely had an impact on that. I really wanted a place that I could get better each day, and having really strong coaching and a team that has great chemistry on and off the field was definitely a big factor for me.” Wyoming is that place for Sacek, who announced her commitment on social media on Monday. “Going out there to visit definitely sealed the deal for me, just everything about it — the environment, the coaches and players,” she said. “I’m really glad where I ended up.” Sacek is the third player in the Redhawks’ junior class to commit to a Division I program, joining Iowa recruit Emerson Burke and Marquette recruit Eleanor Kane. Sacek said all of the qualities she found at Wyoming are present at Naperville Central. “Naperville Central soccer has set the standards high for me because I’ve grown as a player, I’ve made so many amazing friends here,” she said. “I realized that’s what I wanted in my college career as well.” Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said Sacek’s success is a product of her hard work. “She’s one of the ones where you drive by Knoch (Park) or drive by the stadium, you see her working on becoming a better player,” Adams said. “She obviously has been a good player, but I think it’s that dedication to wanting to always be better.” That dedication has been present ever since Sacek scored the game-winning goal in her high school debut as a freshman. That performance was just a taste of things to come, and it whetted her appetite for more. “Nicole is a very competitive person,” Adams said. “At practice, she’s one of the ones that you can tell, it doesn’t matter what the game is, she wants to win. “That type of drive just comes out when you see her in competitive environments, whether it is here in high school or in the club team.” College coaches noticed. “I think coaches recognize you have those combinations, the technical and tactical are important, but it’s more important to have that attitude of wanting to win and that attitude of wanting to get better,” Adams said. “Because once they go to college, they’re then competing with everyone else because every coach is recruiting in behind you. “Coaches want players that are going to get better so they push everyone else on the team. I think that is what separates her from some of the other players.” Sacek said her competitiveness is innate, but she also benefited by following her older sister, Caroline, who played volleyball at Naperville Central and participated in Irish dancing. “She had a big passion for her sport, so growing up around someone who really loved their sport, obviously I wouldn’t want to be anything less than what she is,” Sacek said. “I think that definitely reaches into other aspects of my life like academics, where I always try to do my best and push myself, just like I do on the field. “Even in board games, I always want to win. Even if it’s just a silly practice, I still want to win and always push the people around me to do the same.” Sacek, who said she has a 4.0 GPA, has helped push Naperville Central the past two seasons. After making a surprising run to a Class 3A supersectional during Sacek’s freshman season, the Redhawks went 20-2-1 and won conference and regional titles in the spring. They’re aiming even higher. “This team has bonded together outside of school, like we’re always talking, we’re always hanging out when we can,” Sacek said. “I think that says a lot for on the field. “Obviously, you can tell when a team works well, and it kind of applies for on and off the field. Having those others being committed is just a small part of it because all the players on the team are so great.” Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
