Tell Me I Can't and I Will

Having people question or doubt you may just be a part of life, but not something Brelyn Cusano ever let prevent her from doing what she loved.

At 12 years old, Brelyn would begin to experience a series of tears that would become more challenging the older she got. By the time she reached Sussex, she was recovering from her third ACL surgery. "I remember my friend asking me to come up and play indoor at the college. She said it was just pick up soccer and would be fun. I couldn't resist." Playing indoor from week to week was something Brelyn enjoyed doing. She said "the coaches would talk to me about the possibility of playing for the team and I knew it would be tough to convince my parents."

Coach Vernacchio said "when I first met Brelyn, you could see the energy she brought. I mean she just met everyone and she is acted like she knew everybody for years. That was something that stuck with me. I figured at the very least, we have to get Brelyn involved with the team." Brelyn would later commit to the program and start her collegiate journey. "It was tough when you see all your friends committing to playing soccer at colleges across the country. I had people telling me I would and should never play the sport again. A huge part of me wanted to prove everyone wrong and show them, and myself, that I wouldn't be defined by my ACL having been torn."

The first season Brelyn played for Sussex was filled with promise. From goals that Brelyn scored to the impact she made on the team, it was certainly a great way to get back into the game. Heading into a regional final championship was something the team and Brelyn were very much looking forward to, "It was the day before the championship final and I just got a brand new pair of cleats. As I was practicing, I felt my leg give and I knew I had just done it again." Sitting out of the championship game was hard for Brelyn but the road to recovery was even harder.

Brelyn would sit out her sophomore year and watch her team play. "Sophomore year was the most important year of my life I would say. It made me grow out of my comfort zone in having to play a different role. I am used to being a leader on the field, but now I had to find another way to help our team," Brelyn said. As the season came to an end, Sussex would find itself once again losing in the finals. Cusano focused on what she would now be looking to achieve her final year at Sussex.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself to have a season I would remember forever. I had to take a step back and realize I needed to enjoy this year and set goals that weren't about fear of tearing my ACL but more importantly how I could help this team achieve its goals." Cusano said.

Achieve their goals they did. Brelyn would be a part of a team who smashed many records along with winning a Regional and Conference Championship. When asked what that season meant to her, she said, "I wouldn't want to end my time at Sussex any other way. From winning the Region to proving a lot of people wrong and most importantly doing it with this group of girls was an amazing experience."

Brelyn now has moved onto William Patterson University to continue her education and also her soccer career. Coach Vernacchio said, "I am very proud of all that Brelyn accomplished and help grow during her time here at Sussex. We all have players that will leave an impact on your program, but some will truly leave it in a better place. Brelyn certainly has done that."