Posted on March 18 2025
Name: Samantha Leshnak Murphy
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Present Team: North Carolina Ascent
At what age did you start playing soccer?
I started playing soccer around 5 years old. I played a lot of different sports growing up in different seasons. Sports was something I was good at and interested in. Soccer was the most fun and challenging. I enjoyed that; it’s what kept me showing up and wanting to improve daily.
At what age did you become a GK?
I became a goalkeeper around age 15 full time. I had been going to optional goalkeeper trainings at my club since I was 10 or so. A training a week for technique; then I switched clubs at 13 for a better environment and had more regular goalkeeper sessions through a week, while also being a field player on my team. I played half in goal/ half forward until I was 15.
What is your favorite soccer memory?
I’m blessed- I have so many good memories. I’ve scored goals from half line free kicks in club and high school, almost as a pro… I’ve went in as a last minute forward and scored a header on a corner in the final minutes. I’ve been a part of championship wins in college and professional- and made saves to earn those sweet victories… the sweetest had to be a PK shootout in college- one that helped us get to the national championship. I made 2 PK saves; the last save ended it. My Dad was there; an evening game under the lights, my team running to me to celebrate and a moment of joy I’ll never forget.
Who is your favorite GK to watch/emulate?
My favorite goalkeeper is also a tough question. I come to think of a few: Hope Solo, Peter Schmeichel, Iker Casillas, and now Emiliano Martínez. I love more of a classic style of goalkeeping, I’m calling it; hands first, aggressive forward leaning set and closing-down spaces in the box. But I also emulate newer trends of foot saves and high body positioning for specific shots.
What is your favorite HPG glove and why?
Why did you join the HPG glove family?
I joined the HPG family at the start of my professional career. If I could’ve sooner, I would have. I had to wear a big name brand glove in college… very thin gloves, had to replace constantly, and sub-standard grip. Jon and his team designed these gloves as a pro. He knew the gaps in what was offered. It shows. As for HPG, I met Jon first. I was introduced to him and then wanted to back him because of who he is and what they stand for at HPG. Perfect partnership. I’ve been repping the gloves in and out of country now 7 years.
One piece of advice you would give a young Gk wanting to become a pro?
Advice I would give to a young goalkeeper with high ambitions is to enjoy training. Give it everything you have, every time you get the chance to train. Who you become as a GK will be revealed in how/(and if) you show up to training. Do all the work and receive feedback from your coach. It is a lot of work through the years. You need time and failure to become a great goalkeeper. But there is so much happiness and personal growth in the process. I encourage this GK to enjoy the sweet moments, and celebrate the wins. If you can remember the victories in training and games (more often than the negative) over time, you will continue to grow and want will keep climbing.