Senior Spotlight: Allentown’s Brianna Samuels
Since the high school spring sports season has been canceled it is only fitting The Trentonian recognize senior girl’s lacrosse players.
Brianna Samuels has been an integral part of the girls lacrosse success at Allentown since she was a freshman. Samuels had an assist in her first game and her first goal in her fourth. She has amassed 82 career goals and certainly would’ve hit the 100-goal milestone.
A gifted player, she has a bright collegiate future in front of her.
JO’G » How disappointed were you when you heard your season year was being cut short?
BS» After hearing that our season was canceled, I was devastated. I had personal goals as well as team goals I was excited to achieve this year. Throughout quarantine, I was trying to stay positive that we would be able to go back at some point but knowing that I won’t be able to end my high school career on my terms is heartbreaking. This season, our team this year became so close already, I will definitely miss them the most. Some of my best memories at Allentown were on the lacrosse team. JO’G » What do you feel we can all learn from this pandemic?
BS» What I think we can all learn from this pandemic is to never take things for granted, to live in the moment all the time because you never know when your last game will be or the last time you will see your family or friends. I think too many people take the little things for granted and we should learn to appreciate them more. I think it’s something we should all take away from this terrible situation.
JO’G » How excited are you to be heading to Jacksonville University in the fall?
BS» I am super excited! I am so lucky to have to opportunity to continue to play the sport I love at the next level. Jacksonville has an awesome lacrosse program and the team culture is amazing. It’s one giant family and everyone was so welcoming since the day I committed it gets me so excited about the future and I can’t wait to be a part of it soon!
JO’G » How did you develop such a passion for lacrosse? How disappointing is it to be so close to 100 goals?
BS» I started playing lacrosse when I was in second grade. Lacrosse actually wasn’t that popular at Allentown at the time so I had to go over to the Robbinsville rec program my second year. Since then it has been so cool to see how much the sport has grown. When I really fell in love with the game was when I began club lacrosse with T3 Shore. It is a great program with some of the best coaches that pushed me to be the best player I can be. The challenges I faced there really helped me become the player and person I am today. It’s so upsetting that I won’t be able to reach 100 goals. I had set a lot of goals for myself since freshman year that I won’t be able to accomplish. But everything happens for a reason and I will take this disappointment and use it to fuel myself to be a better player at Jacksonville!
JO’G » What has been your favorite Allentown moment? BS» My favorite Allentown lacrosse moment is coming into the season as the underdogs and beating Hunterdon Central my sophomore year. Then later that season beating our rivals, Notre Dame, in the state sectional finals! The pressure in the finals game was high from the start but that year our team was so special we had such great connections and it took the entire team to get the job done. I will never forget the feeling of winning a sectional championship on our home turf!
JO’G » What is the one thing everyone needs to know about Brianna Samuels? BS» One fun fact about me is I live on a big farm with horses, goats, cats, and dogs. I have 7 goats and this past month in quarantine I helped deliver a baby goat. She’s adorable and we named her Rona.