Sammy Vitols is focused on getting FAU to the next level in 2021
To this point in the pandemic, Florida Atlantic University senior midfielder Sammy Vitols has binge-watched shows like Outer Banks, Bridgerton, and Jersey Shore. She also picked up the hobby of roller blading with her family and her teammates. Now, with the 2021 NCAA soccer season set to kick off in a matter of days, Vitols isn’t planning on simply skating by as a senior.
An Orlando, Florida native, Sammy stayed in the Sunshine State for her college years. She explained to BGN, “It was really important for me to stay in Florida so I was closer to home and so that my parents would be able to make it to most of the home games and watch the team play.”
“As soon as I visited the school and spoke with Coach Baker I knew this was the right school for me. Not only the location, but the environment made me feel right at home.”
Vitols arrived at FAU with four district titles at Lake Nona High School and multiple All-Conference and All-Metro honors for the soccer team, plus the school record in the 800m for the track team, on her resume. Discussing the track record, Sammy said, “I believe a girl beat it in the past two years sadly!” Who would win an 800m on the FAU team right now, herself included? “I think that Hailey (Landrus) would run the fastest 800 on our team now,” she answered.
With her pace and skill in the midfield, Vitols has improved every season at FAU. She scored one goal her freshman season, two goals as a sophomore (plus one assist), and during her junior year, she scored seven goals and added five assists, starting in all 21 matches. “The best thing for me was gaining the experience and knowledge throughout my freshmen through senior years, and using it to my best advantage, and it helped me into the player I am now,” Vitols said.
“My favorite memory would have to be from 2019 in the (Conference USA Tournament) semifinal game vs. Charlotte when we went into second overtime and Elisha (Holmes) scored the golden goal. Seeing our entire team rush into a huge dogpile knowing we just made it to the championship is something I’ll never forget.”
.@FAUWomensSoccer sends home the golden goal in 2OT! #CUSAWSOC | #TheCUSAWay pic.twitter.com/ytpwvYjk86
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) November 9, 2019
FAU would come up short in the conference championship, but the season was definitely a success for the Owls. Now, how will they be able to improve on the 2019 season as the 2021 campaign gets underway this week? Sammy said, “Being as successful as we were in 2019, it is important that we don’t forget what made us that successful and our team just has to work off what we built the previous year. My goal is to help push the team and be as impactful as I can to make it the farthest FAU women’s soccer has ever been.”
The first chance for Sammy Vitols and FAU to take their game to the next level will be their season opener against Utah Valley on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 7PM Eastern down in Boca Raton.
