Miller opts for Michigan State
BUTLER TWP — Her 2022 soccer season ended while trying to come back from an injury.
Samantha Miller will be healthy next season — and playing at a much higher level.
Butler’s senior midfielder-forward signed a letter of intent Wednesday to continue her academic and soccer career at Michigan State University in the Big Ten. The Spartans are currently 16-2-3 overall this season, 9-0-1 in conference play.
“They’re elevating that program ... they’ve already done that ... and I’m looking forward to becoming a part of it,” Miller said.
A four-year varsity player at Butler, Miller scored approximately 50 goals in her high school career, including 15 in only nine games this season. She missed much of the season after suffering a fractured pelvis.
“I tried coming back for the playoffs (1-0 overtime loss at Peters Township), but it didn’t work out very well,” Miller said. “I wasn’t very mobile.”
When healthy, she’s extremely productive.
“Sam is a special player,” Butler coach Brittni Grenninger said. “She has a lot of grit and determination. Just how hard she worked to get back to try to help the team shows what type of person she is. That was a painful injury.
“Even after she got hurt, Sam was at the games, being a vocal leader on the sidelines, doing everything she could do to help us win.”
Miller opted for Michigan State over Ohio State, Xavier and Pitt. Carrying a 4.31 grade point average, she plans to major in biomedical sciences.
“I love the coaching staff there and the way they’re doing things,” Miller said. “They have a plan to win Big Ten championships. I just want to give my best effort once I’m there and make everybody better.
“Michigan State has a beautiful campus and I’m looking forward to getting up there, contributing as a freshman and hopefully win a championship.”
Jeff Hosler is in his second year as head coach at Michigan State. In the four years before he got there, the Spartans were a combined 4-35-5 in Big Ten play. The team was picked to finish 13th in the Big Ten last season, when Hosler took over.
The Spartans finished 11-5-3 overall, 5-4-1 in conference play in Hosler’s debut season, finishing fourth in the league.
“He’s totally reversed that program. I’m excited about joining the team,” Miller said.
Prior to taking the Michigan State job, Hosler was 144-12-6 in seven years at Grand Valley State. His record in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) was 63-2-1.
Grenninger believes Miller is talented enough to get on the field for the Spartans right away.
“She’s the type of kid who can make the adjustment and make that happen for herself,” Grenninger said. “I would love to see that. She is a high-energy player and I see her making an impact with that program.
“Even at practices for us, Sam was geared up and led the way. She gave maximum effort and made sure everyone else did, too. I wish we had her coming back — such a positive influence on everybody.”
