Erin Cembrale Earns Gold Medal with USDWNT

Montgomery, Ala.-Huntingdon Women's Soccer player Erin Cembrale earned an Olympic Gold Medal with the United States Deaf Women's National Soccer Team (USDWNT) at the 2022 Deaflympics, which took place in Caxias Do Sul, Brazil. Team USA defeated Poland in overtime to win the game and bring home the gold medal. Poland took home the silver medal and Brazil took home the bronze medal.  

Cembrale was born deaf with a condition called Connexin 26. 

"Growing up as a deaf player was kind of a struggle," Cembrale said. "I had coaches where I couldn't understand them at all. I have never played on a deaf team until the USA Deaf Women's National Team."

As a member of the USDWNT, Cembrale had to play soccer without hearing aids for the first time. 

"It was definitely a different experience for me," Cembrale said. "I didn't enjoy it at first because I didn't like how the wind was blowing in my ears. But as time went by, I now enjoy playing without my hearing aids. It's a different perspective on playing soccer. It has taught me to finally play with my head up instead of down." 

The journey to the Olympic Village in Caxias Do Sul was not an easy one. Between almost missing their flight, a long bus ride, and a hearing test, Cembrale and the team were ready for the action to start.

"Getting to Brazil was a rollercoaster," Cembrale said. "We got into São Paulo. Then we had to get our bags. By the time we got our bags we had to go through Customs. We were like an hour late to our gate. They had to hold the plane for an hour so all of us could get on it. We land in Caxias Do Sul. We had to grab our bags and get on the bus for a 2 hour drive. We got to the Olympic village and a couple of my teammates and I had to take a hearing test again to prove that we were deaf. We were all nervous because if we didn't pass the test then we wouldn't be able to play, but luckily we all passed."

In the first game against Brazil, Cembrale was subbed in and was able to realize her dream of playing on the national team. 

"As a little kid it was my dream to play for the national team," Cembrale said. "When I stepped onto the half to sub my teammate out it was like I finally made it. I was playing on the national team. I have a USA jersey on. Like I did it." 

The team defeated Brazil 4-0 and advanced to face Japan. Cembrale subbed in and a late goal gave Team USA a 1-0 win.

In game 3 against Kenya, Team USA wasted no time with their offense. They defeated Kenya 13-0, with Cembrale scoring a hat trick. 

Team USA took on Poland in game 4 and won 2-0. Cembrale subbed in during the second half. 

The Gold Medal match was a rematch of Team USA against Poland. With Team USA leading 1-0 at halftime, Poland scored the tying goal early in the second half. Cembrale was subbed into the game that eventually led to overtime. A goal by Cembrale in overtime gave Team USA a 2-1 lead but Poland tied it again at 2 with 5 minutes left. Penalty kicks decided the winner, with Team USA getting the victory.

"Scoring a goal in the Gold Medal match was a dream come true," Cembrale said. "It was something that I was working on throughout the month leading up to Brazil."

"When I got my gold medal around my neck and sang the national anthem, it was such a special moment for me," Cembrale said. "Everything that I had worked for my whole life has paid off. All those times that I skipped out of events to go train paid off."

Cembrale's mom was able to travel to Brazil and see the team win the gold medal. 

"Having my mom there was an amazing feeling," Cembrale said. "When we won, she came down and gave me a hug. At that moment, it was like everything that we had worked for was paid off. When I won, it was like she won too. She has sacrificed everything for me to play soccer. She sacrificed her time to come to Brazil for 3 weeks and be with me and my team. She even sacrificed her birthday to come to Brazil."

"Throughout  this whole trip I learned about the wonderful deaf community," Cembrale said. "Being a part of the deaf community is absolutely amazing. I'm so thankful to be a part of a wonderful community. I'm absolutely thankful for the experience and the memories and friends I have made throughout the trip."

The US Deaf Women's National Team will travel to the 4th World Cup Deaf Championships in South Korea starting on May 14, 2023.