Saint Ursula Academy senior Sam Kessler participated in a signing ceremony to express her intent to play soccer next fall for Thomas More University. The Thomas More Saints are an NAIA school that competes in the Mid-South Conference. You can watch Sam play her games next year right across the river at BB&T Field, located in the heart of Thomas More’s Crestview Hills, KY campus.
Sam is the proud daughter of Sarah and Dan Kessler of Bridgetown.
For the Bulldogs, Sam has been part of the Bulldog soccer program for all four years, playing on the JV-B team her first year, JV-A team her sophomore year, and then as a varsity player her junior and senior years. This year, Sam had 3 goals and 1 assist as part of the Bulldog GGCL championship team and district runner-up team.
Sam also played basketball for the Bulldogs her first year at SUA.
Sam is active outside of the classroom and soccer field, particularly with service learning. Sam is a leader of the Saint Boniface group within Student Outreach Services, and serves her school community as an Ambassador and a member of Students for Advancement. Sam’s academic profile and service and leadership qualified her as a member of the National Honor Society. In 2019, Sam received the Ursuline Education Network Student Service Award for her exceptional work within our community service learning program.
Saint Ursula Varsity Soccer Coach Dave Ruehl shared, “Sam is a very versatile player that covers the field well. She has a great soccer IQ, and is very easy to coach. Sam is an unselfish person with the proper attitude of putting the team before herself. I have had the pleasure of coaching Sam for a few years before high school and it has been a joy to watch her development as a player and a person. She has always put in the work to be her best and this trait will guarantee success at the next level. Best of luck, Sam!”
Thomas More University head soccer coach Marquez Walker, added “We are very excited to add Sam into our program. She will bring a dynamic ability to create in our attack. She is a key addition to our 2020 recruiting class. From the beginning of her recruitment she has impressed our current players and has really clicked socially into our team dynamic.”
Sam played this year at Saint Ursula with her younger sister, Grace. Grace shared some special words for her sister as she gets ready for next year. “This year, playing soccer together for the first time since early grade school and sadly maybe the last time, made me realize how much I need to thank Sam for pushing me to be the best I can be. For as long as I can remember, Sam has always been the most determined and hardworking person I know. She made me realize that if you want to reach a goal, you can't sit back and watch, but have to actually put in effort. I am so proud of her with all she has accomplished this year, academically and athletically. I will miss playing with her. I know she will do great things at Thomas More, and I can't wait to continue watching her kick butt on the soccer field.”