SAMANIEGO

ride scholarship. Before that became an option, she was looking hardest at Vanguard University, an NAIA school in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Samaniego only revealed that information in a oneon-one interview after her press conference; in front of others, the only thing she said when asked about what other offers she had on the table was that they were all from schools far away that she had no interest in attending.

“I was kind of laughing in (the press conference), because I’m like, ‘Cinthya, you have had the most offers of probably anyone that has came through AWC!’” Poon said. “Cinthya is very, very humble, and that’s one thing I love about her the most.”

The majority of Samaniego’s offers came from NAIA programs, most of which offered fairly substantial scholarships but not quite full-rides.

“Honestly at first I wanted to stay close to home,” Samaniego said. “I didn’t mind paying loans. But (Minot State) was a great offer, so I couldn’t say no.”

Division I schools expressed interest, too. Samaniego named just the University of Missouri specifically, but Poon added several others — such as Portland State University — were also on the 5-foot-8 forward/midfielder.

Samaniego arrived at AWC a year-and-a-half ago following a stellar career at Kofa, where she received Yuma Sun/Yuma Rotary Club all-region recognition all four of her varsity seasons and was named the area’s Player of the Year as a junior.

“Honestly I never thought I was going to be in this position,” Samaniego said. “I never thought I was going to play here at AWC, but when I came here I saw I could play and I could accomplish stuff that I never thought I could. So I just kept working hard, and I’m thankful for this opportunity.”

As a freshman at AWC, Samaniego had 14 goals and seven assists and was named All-ACCAC First Team. This past fall, she became the first All-American in the Matador program’s five-year history.

“When she came in, I’m not sure she had any confidence in herself,” Poon said. “I know she was one of the best players in Yuma (in high school), but it was maybe something like she never really realized how good she was. I would say throughout the two seasons confidence was the one thing that has improved with Cinthya the most.”

Samaniego will be joining a Minot State program that has gone 44-13-4 over the past three seasons. The biggest adjustment she will face may just be the weather.

“The day I was leaving (Minot) it was kind of snowing and I was like, ‘OK this is cold,’” she said. “But I can get used to it.”