On Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, Quakertown seniors Melina Jagiello and Samantha Barkholz were recognized for committing to continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level. Check back for photos of the event.
“Melina and Sammy have led Quakertown girls’ soccer for the past four years to some incredible heights,” coach Mike Koch said. “Three years in district playoffs, two district playoff wins, both of which each one of them had a very significant role in and a conference championship – all unprecedented heights for the program. Our district win over West Chester Henderson was 1-0, scored on a goal by Melina assisted by Sammy. It was a great combination for us. Our shootout victory against Pennridge – our second PK was by Sammy. Those are some really good accomplishments, but really their leadership was the biggest thing. Their leadership was a four-year thing. They have been leaders from the beginning and each in their own way – very different but very effective leaders. They were multiple time all-league players, both have had a ton of success at the club level and were great leaders and an inspiration to our team. It’s been an absolute pleasure to coach them and I’ll know they’ll do awesome.”
Samantha Barkholz – Jefferson University (Soccer)
Major: Graphic Design Communication
Reasons for choosing Jefferson: “I was looking at Syracuse or RIT and schools like that, but for soccer, I really wasn’t considering any other schools. I went to one ID camp, and the coach connected with me after that, so I went to some more camps at Jefferson. I went for an overnight when I first met the coach, and I fell in love with the campus – it’s beautiful. The way he talked about the sport that I love and how he coached it – I fell in love with that too, and it just seemed like a good combination.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “All of my coaches I had in clubs and my family friends would always ask me if I was going to play in college – they always thought I should. I always doubted myself, I wasn’t sure if I’d be good enough to play. When I started getting interest from a coach, it started making it real for me, and I realized I could do this if I wanted to. I talked to the coach – we had a good phone call after I first met him. They made me an offer after the camps.”
Coach Mike Koch says: “Sammy has been a role model and a friend to all of our players throughout the years. She is someone that helps those who are in need. I don’t know how to describe it any better. She came to one of our open gyms, and generally, the freshmen pick up all the equipment. I looked around at the end, and the person picking up the equipment was the senior that was already gone from the team. She led by example all the time. I know when our players were having a tough time, she was someone they could turn to. She’s a quality, quality person.
“I can’t talk about Sammy without talking about her restarts. She had the best restarts of anyone I’ve ever had in the program in my 11 years here, probably highlighted by a goal from about 50 yards out in overtime against Upper Dublin this year. She kept us connected in the midfield, and I was very fortunate four years ago because Sammy’s a really good volleyball player, and I know that was a decision she had to make. I’m really happy she chose soccer.”
About Samantha:
Favorite food: Perogies
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite music: Country
Melina Jagiello – Dickinson University (Soccer)
Major: Mathematics
Final list of colleges: Dickinson, West Chester, Franklin & Marshall
Reasons for choosing Dickinson: “What made me choose Dickinson was, one, how nice the campus was. When I first got there, I just fell in love with everything about it. When I did my overnight, the team talked about their team philosophy and everything their program was about, and I just fell in love with everything about it. It kind of made it a no-brainer.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I think from when I was young – I never wanted to stop playing soccer, so college was always a known for me if I could.”
Coach Mike Koch says: “Melina was our director of the defense, a ferocious tackler of the ball and a leader but a coach on the field as well. She understands the game at the next level. I asked her to take charge as a freshman, and that was a little difficult. She got her voice then and the next three years she directed everything. Melina was also the Lehigh Valley Soccer Scholar-Athlete award winner. They’ll both go a long, long way in the game because of their understanding and their ability to play as well. They have the components within them to be very successful college athletes and will do so. They’re also great students.”
About Melina:
Favorite food: French Fries
Favorite movie: Marvel movies
Favorite artist: Queen
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