As a sophomore and current starting goalkeeper, Michael Samnik has made the most of his opportunity as a starter, with a 3-2 record to show for it.
Samnik, in High School, was a captain, MVP, and earned 2nd team All-Regional in his Senior year. He also was the first freshman to play on varsity in his High School’s history. Now, he has finally been able to show the Owls what he is made of.
The 6 foot 5 goalkeeper from Atlanta, Georgia lets his height play to his advantage, “It definitely helps to my advantage, make the angles a lot smaller. Makes me more of an aerial threat so people aren’t scoring off set pieces.”
Since Samnik has taken over at goalie,and the team has seen immediate success. Samnik believes there are a few keys to the team’s recent success. “Scoring early and that takes the weight off my shoulders, at the same time to be able to keep shutouts in two consecutive games has been big. Also the relationship I have with my defense and the connection we have is key.”
Samnik believes this Owls team is on the right path and can see them finishing first or second in the conference if they keep up these solid performances because nobody has really taken a step ahead in conference play.
After receiving the honor of Philadelphia 6 defender of the week last week, Samnik was very pleased and said his family found out before he did. “It felt Phenomenal to win it. I didn’t even know the news, I saw text messages from family members saying congrats. I want to keep that going and keep winning awards and keep up the success this year, and the remaining two years I have at Temple.”
As for the his starting goal-keeping position, Samnik hopes that he will get to keep it for his next couple of years at Temple. “ I hope to keep it through leadership, and I’m a vocal guy, everyone respects me on and off the field. Let my performance honestly speak for itself.”
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