Forward Samantha Schwartz ’18 has quickly become an offensive stalwart for the women’s soccer team in a squad full of upperclassmen, netting four goals and collecting three assists over the squad’s first five games this year. The Judges started just one first-year, Schwartz, in their season-opener on Aug. 29 and have seen her develop into an important part of the offense since then. 

Two of her team-leading four goals have been game winners—the lone goal in an win over Clark University and an 83rd minute winner during a 2-1 win over Lasell College. 

Only five games into her collegiate career, Schwartz said she has had little trouble adjusting to the squad.

“It’s very easy coming into this [team],” she said. “The first day of preseason I showed up not knowing anyone except [defenseman] Katie Cooper [’17] … but for the most part the first day was me a little reserved and shy and then the second day there was some instant connection. 

“I don’t know how, but our chemistry was really good; I felt by the second day of preseason that I was connected to [the team], and I knew I would become closer to them than I already had been,” she continued.

Schwartz is one of five first-years on the squad but consistently sees the most minutes of all rookies and has rewarded the team by scoring once every 112.5 minutes. Her mark is surpassed only by midfielder Sapir Edalati ’15, who scored once every 75 minutes during a six-game stretch last September.

Schwartz said she appreciates the opportunity to play alongside Edalati, whose guidance has helped her fit in with the team’s offense.

“It’s obviously great playing with [Edalati],” she said. “She’s a role model and leader on the team … and we try to help each other and keep pushing each other. I think we work really well together.”

With two game-winning goals already this year, Schwartz has had a knack for the late goal but does not attribute the goals much importance. 

“I think it’s just a luck thing,” she said with a chuckle. 

 Schwartz currently sits third on the team in shots behind only midfielder Holly Szafran ’16 and Edalati, and has used both her speed and shot selection to become an integral part of the offense.

Schwartz’s first goal of the season, a game-winner against Clark, was an easy tap in from the far post off a pass from Edalati. Her second was a product of speed and technical ability, running around a Lasell defender after receiving a through ball from Szafran and sending a rocket into the bottom corner. 

Schwartz said that she revels in the opportunity to play alongside an experienced squad.

“Coming into this [season], I was just hoping I’d get some playing time, and then I felt like [the] two preseason scrimmages [were] my time to shine and prove why I should be out on the field,” she said. “My teammates have pushed me to do my best, I want to push myself for them, not for myself. I want to win these games for them, not for myself.”

Even with her consistent start, Schwartz still wants to push both herself and her team to be better on the field, and with her recent play, the forward will be leading the offensive charge for the Judges.

“[I want to] keep working hard; I always want to improve,” she said.

 “I think that’s the most important thing. As a team, it’s important we improve as well because I think we can only go up from here.”