Samantha Castaneda
Samantha Castaneda Signs Pro Contract with Medyk Konin
3/8/2024 9:38:00 AM | Women's Soccer
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Fort Wayne native and Purdue Fort Wayne women's soccer great Samantha Castaneda has signed a professional contract with Medyk Konin, the Polish club announced on Friday (March 8).
"I'm super excited to be joining a club with such a rich history," Castaneda said. "It's been my childhood dream to play professional soccer and no words can express how grateful I am. I'm very fortunately to have spent four years at Purdue Fort Wayne and train in a competitive environment to prepare. I'm looking forward to developing my game and learning from the players and coaches at Medyk."
Medyk Konin plays in the top league in Poland, the Ekstraliga. The club has won four Ekstraliga titles in its history, the most recent coming in 2017, and nine Polish Cups, the most recent coming in 2018-19. Castaneda will join the club immediately. Medyk Konin has a match tomorrow against UJ Krakow.
Castaneda left Purdue Fort Wayne as the all-time leader in virtually all keeper statistical categories. The 2022 Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year holds the Mastodon career records in saves (303), shutouts (17) and goals against average (1.13). She led Purdue Fort Wayne to a Horizon League regular season runner-up finish in 2022 in the best season in program history.
"We are so proud of, and excited for, Sam earning her first professional contract," Mastodon head coach Jason Burr said. "She has been such a massive part of the success of our program over the last four years and we wouldn't be where we are now without her. She has committed so much time and effort to get to this stage in her career. We can't speak highly enough of her humility, leadership, and work ethic and we know those attributes will serve her well as she advances in her professional career. Her development during her time here, specifically working with Josh Routte and Jeff Richey, makes me incredibly eager to see how she continues to grow in the professional ranks."
"I'm super excited to be joining a club with such a rich history," Castaneda said. "It's been my childhood dream to play professional soccer and no words can express how grateful I am. I'm very fortunately to have spent four years at Purdue Fort Wayne and train in a competitive environment to prepare. I'm looking forward to developing my game and learning from the players and coaches at Medyk."
Medyk Konin plays in the top league in Poland, the Ekstraliga. The club has won four Ekstraliga titles in its history, the most recent coming in 2017, and nine Polish Cups, the most recent coming in 2018-19. Castaneda will join the club immediately. Medyk Konin has a match tomorrow against UJ Krakow.
Castaneda left Purdue Fort Wayne as the all-time leader in virtually all keeper statistical categories. The 2022 Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year holds the Mastodon career records in saves (303), shutouts (17) and goals against average (1.13). She led Purdue Fort Wayne to a Horizon League regular season runner-up finish in 2022 in the best season in program history.
"We are so proud of, and excited for, Sam earning her first professional contract," Mastodon head coach Jason Burr said. "She has been such a massive part of the success of our program over the last four years and we wouldn't be where we are now without her. She has committed so much time and effort to get to this stage in her career. We can't speak highly enough of her humility, leadership, and work ethic and we know those attributes will serve her well as she advances in her professional career. Her development during her time here, specifically working with Josh Routte and Jeff Richey, makes me incredibly eager to see how she continues to grow in the professional ranks."
~ Feel the Rumble ~
Players Mentioned
GK
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