Sammy Scofield completed her second season with the Elon Phoenix women's soccer coaching staff in 2017.
Elon finished with a 9-6-4 record during her second season in 2017. Despite a tough schedule, the squad went 7-2-1 in the non-conference segment. The Phoenix matched a program record with five players receiving conference postseason honors in the same season, which included the program's first-ever CAA Rookie of the Year in freshman Meredith Christopher. She also became the program's first major award winner since the Phoenix joined the CAA in 2014. The native of Fort Mill, S.C., led all league players in overall points with 22 on the season scoring seven goals and eight assists. Additionally, Kendall Ballotti earned All-CAA Second Team honors, while Grace Bennett and Christopher were both named All-CAA Third Team. The program also had three freshmen named to the 10-player CAA All-Rookie Team as Christopher, Reena Wichmann, and Hannah Doherty all were selected. Elon had the most All-Rookie selections in the league and had the most in one season by a CAA program since 2013. Adding to the list of accolades for Elon during the 2017 season, Christopher and junior forward Tori Baliatico earned CAA Player of the Week honors during the season. Additionally, Christopher and Wichmann each were recognized with Rookie of the Week honors.
In her first season, the Phoenix finished the 2016 campaign with a 7-9-3 overall mark against a difficult schedule which included three opponents that made the NCAA Championships and five that at least made the finals of their respective conference championships. The program continued its substantial improvement in the CAA, doubling their point total in conference play from 2015 and nearly tripling their total from the program's inaugural CAA season in 2014. Elon had three players receive CAA postseason honors, which included the program's first All-CAA First Team selection in junior center back Kendall Ballotti. One of Neal's players made the CAA All-Rookie Team for the third consecutive season and senior Alexis de Groot earned a spot on the All-Academic team. The maroon and gold had two freshmen, goalkeeper Katelyn Fowler and Taylor Paradoski, earn conference Rookie of the Week awards.
The Phoenix improved its play defensively in 2016 forcing a total of six overtime games, including four during the conference season. Elon also posted three CAA shutouts, which ranked second in the league. In addition to strong play from the back line, Fowler finished second in the CAA in goals against average (0.78) in five games played.
Scofield joined the Phoenix staff in 2016 after spending the previous season as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Kentucky. Prior to joining the Wildcats, Scofield was a standout center back at the University of Notre Dame where she helped lead an Irish squad to four NCAA Tournament appearances and was a four-year Monogram winner.
“Sammy has many years of successful high-level experience, as a player and coach, that will allow her to provide tremendous perspective to our current student-athletes,” said Neal. “During the interview process, Sammy immediately proved she has the necessary drive and competitive fire to help our program achieve new levels."
The Wildcats finished 9-7-2 overall and 3-5-3 in the SEC during the 2015 season. Kentucky head coach Jon Lipsitz sees a bright future in Scofield’s coaching career. “Sammy is a fantastic hire and will make an immediate impact,” said Kentucky’s head women’s soccer coach Jon Lipsitz. “She knows the game and has the work ethic to make an impact on the college game. I am excitied to watch her continue to grow as a great young coach.”
While playing for Notre Dame, Scofield started in 79 of her 88 total matches during her four-year career, including being named the team’s Most Valuable Freshman during in 2011. She was named a team captain for her senior season in 2014. She was also a four-time Monogram award winner.
Current Notre Dame head coach Theresa Romangnolo, who coached Scofield during her senior season, thinks she will bring a vast wealth of experience and knowledge to the Elon program. "Sammy will bring a tremendous level of elite playing experience to her coaching position at Elon, said Notre Dame head women’s soccer coach Theresa Romangnolo. “She will be able to help pass on her knowledge of the game as well as provide support to the staff in all areas of the coaching role. It's a great opportunity for her to learn and grow as a coach."
Current manager of NWSL’s Houston Dash and former Notre Dame head coach Randy Waldrum, who recruited Scofield, believes that her success, defensive knowledge, and mentality can add to the culture of the program. "I'm very excited to hear that Sammy will be joining the coaching staff at Elon,” said coach Waldrum. “She is a true warrior and competitor, so she'll bring that winning mentality to those young players. She understands the game well and should be a great asset in helping with their defensive structure. I think it's a great hire and great opportunity for both Sammy and Elon."
In 2012, Scofield earned an invitation to United States Under-23 National Team camp in January in Sarasota, Fla. She was also part of the 2010 U-18 National Team player pool, participating in U-18 camp in April 2010 at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
In addition to her coaching experience at Kentucky, Scofield previously worked with Coerver Coaching of Illinois and Indiana, was the head coach of the Michiana Echo U-13 Girls in 2015, and a camp counselor for Notre Dame Women’s Soccer Summer Camps and for the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars.
