After tearing her ACL during her senior year of high school, Mellanie Chernay found herself rehabbing for nine months before playing collegiate soccer. Now, three seasons later, the sophomore goalkeeper led the Hawks to a playoff run.
Chernay graduated from Amador High School in 2022 before attending Folsom Lake College, where she redshirted. Chernay spent her freshman season as the backup goalkeeper with the 2023 CCCAA State Champion Falcons before transferring to Cosumnes River College to play under head coach Cesar Plasencia this past summer as a sophomore.
“In the spring, I felt like I wasn’t getting better opportunities,” Chernay said. “So I contacted coach Cesar.”
Plasencia and Chernay’s networking began before she stepped foot on campus, Plasencia said.
“I had her for a couple years as a kid and she was good then,” Plasencia said. “Now she’s our starting keeper and doing a really good job. She’s a hard-working player, kind of a coach’s dream in that regard.”
Chernay’s journey began when she was five, after her dad signed up her and her twin sister to play in the Motherlode Youth Soccer League in Amador County. However, her goalkeeping journey began right away due to a lack of team depth, Chernay said.
“The team didn’t have a goalie,” Chernay said. “I’m like, ‘Okay what am I doing? I like to chase butterflies and pick dandelions.’ Then it started to get more serious.”
Chernay branched from recreational soccer to competitive soccer shortly after, where she began playing for Prospector Soccer Club, a Shingle Springs-based organization, before playing for other clubs along the way to high school.
Transferring to CRC came with personal growth and maturity, Chernay said.
“I learned one of the biggest life lessons ever,” Chernay said. “Having to stand up for myself, even if it’s against an older individual. Having to put my foot down, and doing what’s best for me.”
Chernay’s focus and drive have been vital roles to her success, said Anthony Peters, her high school coach at Amador.
“Mell is just special,” Peters said. “She’s wise beyond her years, disciplined beyond her peers. Her success is well earned.”
While transferring can present a handful of challenges, the process was easier due to team chemistry, Chernay said.
“I feel like there’s a sense of community within my team,” Chernay said. “There’s really no cliques, like sophomores and freshmen.”
Chernay’s leadership skills have led to confidence growth throughout the season, said freshman forward Mia Perez.
“I’ve seen how she takes initiative on the field,” Perez said. “She reads the game really well. I love how positive she is all the time, she’s always really encouraging.”
Chernay has been influential to teammates and coaches alike, Peters said.
“Mellanie was always a leader,” Peters said. “Her dedication to the team, to the program, to the other ladies was visible. It was very helpful.”
Transferring has come with the opportunity to be who she wants to be, Chernay said.
“I didn’t know any of the girls coming in,” Chernay said. “It was a whole clean slate to work off of. I can be the most extroverted person I can possibly be.”
Chernay said she plans on continuing her soccer journey and hopes to work in the sport professionally.
“I’ve come to terms that soccer is gonna be my life no matter what,” Chernay said. “I don’t plan on playing professionally, but every kid wants to. Even if it’s some league in Finland. Even a marketing job with a club, or with an apparel company would be cool too.”
Chernay helped lead the Hawks to the 10 seed in the 3C2A Northern California Regional Championships, chasing a back-to-back Final Four appearance and State Championship before being knocked out in the second round of regionals against the Hartnell College Panthers on Nov. 23.