She started playing hockey at the Y in third grade, partly field and partly goal keeper. By 5th grade, she found her home in the cage and never turned back to the field. CAL developed a team that year that stayed together and went on to be city champs in 7th grade and runner up for State JV as eighth graders. The CAL hockey program has grown leaps and bounds over the last 6 years and all the players have prospered.

Sam does not store her gear when the school season is over. She in facts plays hockey 50 weeks out of the year and loves every second of it. "I have played for IFHCK (club) from u12-19 and can't count how many tournaments I have been too." Last year at u19 national indoor tournament she was noticed by the US head coach and asked to try out for the upcoming year! A huge honor, she was ecstatic to make the 19 hour drive for a 7 hour practice weekend. "Words can not describe how happy I was to get the email saying I was on the summer training schedule! I have traveled to Pennsylvania now 7 weekends for practices and given up social activities and finished homework and art projects in the long car rides but I would not change it for the world." She has desired to wear a USA jersey and looks forward to this winter being able to do just that. She is the first Kentucky player ever to be named to a US National field hockey team and is honored to represent Kentucky and Christian Academy.

Recently, she has been 1 of 15 girls selected for make a Junior squad to practice this winter for the European squad which will travel to Scotland in January. It is comprised of mostly u19 with a few u17 players. "I am just so happy this door has opened and I look forward to what God has in store for me in the coming year(s)." She knows it will be challenging to maintain schoolwork with her travel schedule but knows all things are possible with Christ by her