Breakthrough season at Ohio worth the wait for Norwin graduate Sam Wexell

Sam Wexell probably seemed machine-like to opponents in high school, as she recorded 53 shutouts at Norwin and led the Knights to the 2017 state soccer title.

But upon arriving at Division I Ohio University in 2018, she became, well, human.

She suffered a concussion during the first week of practice and sat out the first semester. She also said she lost some of her confidence.

“I think anytime you go from being the big fish in a small pond to coming to a team where everyone was the superstar on their team, it is definitely intimidating,” Wexell said.

The 5-foot-9 Wexell, though, was back to doing the intimidating as a senior this season. She earned first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors after recording a 0.75 goals-against average and 10 shutouts.

She started every game as the Bobcats had their best regular season since 2002, and the shutout total was one shy of the school record.

“Personally, the biggest thing was getting my confidence back up — kind of to the comfort level I had in high school — being in control, giving directions to my teammates,” she said. “Whereas last year I kind of felt a little scattered, a little bit uncomfortable on the field.”

Ohio coach Aaron Rodgers, a former Division I goalkeeper who also played professionally in the United Soccer League, has a special appreciation for what Wexell has gone through.

“We knew what kind of a quality technical goalkeeper that she was,” he said. “It was down to her becoming more confident and us being able to mentor her through this journey as well.”

During her first three years, Wexell played in nine games with five starts. But she said frustration didn’t set in as she waited her turn and adjusted to college life.

“Freshman year, I got injured, but I was also very nervous playing at the college level,” she said. “And then sophomore year, I just enjoyed being able to practice. I really don’t think I was ready for the pressure of games. I just really thought it was nice not to have that pressure but just get to enjoy playing soccer again and bond with my teammates.”

Wexell started half of Ohio’s games in the pandemic-shortened spring schedule last season, recording a 1.41 goals-against average and a shutout, before emerging this fall. Sitting and waiting ended up being a good thing, something that can be tricky, Rodgers said.

“Goalkeeper is a tough position because typically one plays, and you have two or three other goalkeepers,” he said. “How do you deal with that from an interpersonal standpoint between the goalkeepers? Do you want one not to do well so you can play? Do you want to encourage them, knowing we’re all in this together and we win and lose as a group and not as an individual?

“So they’ve embraced that, and Sam is a perfect example of embodying that and pushing her teammates to be the best version of themselves. Her going through that as a teammate and then as a leader, it’s so wonderful to see her earn the opportunities to be successful on the field because she’s always been so successful off the field as a teammate.”

Wexell isn’t done, either. She is going to take advantage of the NCAA granting all athletes an extra year of eligibility because of the pandemic. She plans to enroll in some business and management classes to supplement her psychology major. Wexell will graduate next winter.

And in addition to building on her all-conference season, she will be counted on to mentor two incoming freshman goalkeepers.

“Sam epitomizes from a cultural standpoint who we are here,” Rodgers said. “I couldn’t want a better person in our program.”