CENTER TWP — Soccer has taken Samantha Miller to the Windy City.

Across the plains of Indiana. To the lakes of Minnesota. To the beaches of South Carolina and the wetlands of Florida.

And soon to the Pacific Ocean for a showcase near San Diego.

For Miller, a Butler sophomore, the frequent-flier miles are designed to get her noticed.

To get her name in the minds and on the tongues of college coaches from across the nation.

And to improve the forward/midfielder's already stellar skills on the soccer pitch.

She's traversing the map with the Beadling Soccer Club's 2005 Girls Academy team. It's an elite group that plays other elite clubs.

“We're playing the top teams in every area and going up against the top players in each state,” Miller said. “It's really cool to see how you match up against them. There's so many coaches watching because it's one of the highest leagues, so you get your name out there.”

Miller is also taking that task upon herself.

Her social media feeds are flush with her highlights — an effort to increase her exposure even more.

College coaches aren't permitted to contact Miller yet.

When they can, Miller wants to leave them with an early good impression.

“I want them to be like, 'Oh, yeah, I've seen those highlights before,'” Miller said.

When it comes down to it, though, the biggest impact Miller can make is on the soccer pitch — a place where she has felt most at home since she was 5.

Miller is tenacious on offense with the drive of a bulldog when it comes to putting the ball into the back of the net.

That's what finishers do and Miller wants to be the best of the best.

“You just have to want that goal,” Miller said. “You have to have the mindset that nothing is going to get in your way.”

Not much has for Miller, both with Beadling and with her Butler High School team.

Miller scored 13 goals to lead the Golden Tornado this fall.

Her penalty kick with 32.9 seconds remaining in the WPIAL final at Gateway High School against North Allegheny sent the 4A title game to overtime.

Butler eventually fell in a second OT.

“That PK at the end of regulation — it was just like all the adrenaline in the world going through me,” Miller said.

She found a way to calm herself and bury the shot.

Rise to the occasion.

The loss was difficult to absorb.

“Very disappointing result, but the whole journey this year in high school with COVID and not knowing if we were going to have a season and then making it all the way to double overtime in the WPIAL final, it's definitely an experience I won't forget.”

Miller won't soon forget her experience on the road with Beadling, either.

Miller said knowing so many are watching was disquieting at first, but she has adapted.

“It does put a little more pressure on you, but it's also exciting because when you and your teammates do well against the best competing, everyone is watching,” Miller said. “You can't get frustrated. You just have to do your best. You just have to do what you've been doing all your life.”

Miller's soccer life began at a young age — her older sister, Paige, also had a standout soccer career at Butler. Samantha Miller soon realized it was going to be a sport in which she could excel.

“I've always had a drive for the game,” Miller said. “The team atmosphere has always been fun for me.”

Miller's considerable soccer skills can only get better, she said.

She's not done by a longshot in honing her game.

“I have so much more that I want to develop,” Miller said. “I want to get stronger. Know the game better than I already do. Just learn more about it. Work on splitting defenders better and I definitely think there's a next level I can get to and I'm really looking forward to pushing myself to get there.”

Miller won't get there by herself.

Her parents, Chris and Lissa, have dedicated a considerable amount of time and money getting Samantha to events.

“I'm so lucky to have them,” Miller said. “I can't do it without them. No way. They literally spend every hour they're free taking me to soccer or to extra training. They spend all their free weekends traveling with me. I'm super grateful for them.”

She's also grateful for all of her coaches.

“I will become the best player I can be because I have some of the best coaches looking out for me and pushing me to reach my full potential,” Miller said. “I definitely would not be where I am today without them.”