Kentucky’s Tanya Samarzich Called into Mexican National Team
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky women’s soccer
senior forward Tanya Samarzich has been called up to the Mexican Women’s Soccer
National Team, the Mexican Federation announced. Samarzich has been called up
to participate in the team’s camp before roster selection to an international
friendly exhibition match against world No. 4 Canada on Feb. 4.
“It’s everyone’s dream as a soccer player to
be playing with a national team and to be representing your country, your
family and also the University of Kentucky,” Samarzich said. “It’s something
that I really look forward to. All I can do is work hard and do my best and
hopefully I’ll be on the travel squad to play against Canada. Nothing is ever
guaranteed because of the high competition of the Mexican National team. I just
really feel honored to have this opportunity.”
Samarzich led Kentucky in scoring a season
ago, scoring seven goals and assisting on six for a team-high 20 points. In her
two seasons in Lexington, the senior has been UK’s most potent offensive
scoring threat, having launched over 60 shots with 42 of those being recorded
on goal.
Samarzich was on the Mexican World Cup roster
two years ago, but suffered a devastating ankle injury vs. Canada less than a
week before the tournament started in a closed-door scrimmage causing her to
miss the World Cup.
“Playing with the national team and playing
with players that have higher experiences than me – I just love their feedback
and getting knowledge from them.” Samarzich said “They always help me to become
a better, more technical and more intelligent soccer player each day that I
participate in camp. I just hope that I can take what I learn and translate it
to my teammates at Kentucky on the soccer field – especially during the spring
– which is a time to learn and grow on the soccer field.”
Should Samarzich make the travel squad to make
the trip to Canada, the international friendly will be held on Feb. 4 at BC
Place in Vancouver, Canada, site of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
For the latest on the Kentucky women’s soccer team, follow @UKWomensSoccer on Twitter,
Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.
