MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Less than a week after leading Morgantown High School to their second girls soccer state championship, midfielder Sammie Brown signed her letter of intent to compete for Auburn University.
“As soon as I went to Auburn it just felt right,” Brown said. “Getting to know my teammates, my coach, everything about the campus I fell in love with automatically. I knew it was the right school for me.”
Brown is the daughter of veteran WVU women’s soccer head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown and was named the West Virginia state player of the year as a junior. Brown earned Class AAA first team all-state honors by the WVHSSCA this fall.
“Obviously I would have liked to stay a little closer if possible but it just worked out that I really liked this school,” Brown said. “I wasn’t going to let the distance affect my decision.”
Brown also considered offers from Clemson and Saint Louis.
“Hard work will get you places,” Brown said. “That is the biggest thing I have learned.”
Brown’s penalty kick goal in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Hedgesville proved to be the decisive goal in the state championship match.
“It is so awesome to know that that is just one more thing I was able to help with my school,” Brown said. “It is super cool.”