Sammie Brown is no stranger to soccer.
“I first got into soccer when I was around 4 years old, and it was because I was always around my mom’s team and the sport,” the 2020 Morgantown High graduate said.
Brown, the daughter of longtime West Virginia University head women’s soccer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown, has recently begun her fifth-year senior season at Auburn University.
“My mom is one of the biggest reasons for my soccer career,” Brown said. “On the field she has taught me everything I know and is always there to help coach me whenever I need it. Off the field she constantly reminded me that anything I want in life I can achieve with hard work. She is the best role model for showing what you can achieve with hard work and dedication.”
Brown has played in many matches, but there is one she will forever cherish. On Sept. 7 last year, the Tigers traveled to Morgantown and faced her mother’s WVU team.
“The experience was very special,” she said. “Growing up I had watched an infinite amount of my mom’s games, especially in Dick Dlesk Stadium, so playing on that field was very surreal. It was the first time I had ever cheered against WVU soccer so that part was weird for me. Mainly I was excited to be able to play in front of my mom and have some friendly family competition with her. I had to approach it like any other game and opponent.”
She initiated the game-tying play, cutting back to Sydney Richards for a deflected shot that Carly Thatcher cleaned up and buried in the back of the net.
“It was an exciting moment for my team as any goal is, but it was extra special to help assist it in front of my hometown crowd,” Brown said. “Before the game, I remember my mom saying the best-case scenario was I scored a goal on them, but she won the game, so I think she was probably happy for me.”
So far this season, Brown has started all eight games, playing 410 minutes. She totals one goal and two assists. Auburn is ranked No. 6 and has a perfect 8-0 record. They defeated Old Dominion, 2-0, last Friday and begin SEC play against Vanderbilt on Thursday.
“I am extremely excited for this season as we have a lot of our senior class returning for their fifth year,” Brown said. “We are all motivated to make it the best season yet. My goal for this year is to keep contributing significant minutes to help the team win. I am also hoping to get some more goals this season.”
Brown had a breakout 2023 season, making 20 appearances and 19 starts while playing 1,389 total minutes. She served as Auburn’s primary holding midfielder, scoring one goal and one assist. She was a crucial member of the defense that hung seven clean sheets, including four in SEC play. Her first career goal came in the 38th minute of the 3-2 comeback victory at Army West Point.
“My senior season was my favorite season thus far,” Brown said. “I think I got a lot better as a player and leader on the field. I think as a team we did well and grew over the season.”
Brown had an outstanding career as a Mohigan. She was part of the team that won the 2019 AAA State Championship and was named the 2019-20 West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year. She was a First Team All-State honoree twice as well as the 2018 West Virginia AAA Player of the Year. She finished with 135 points, 41 goals and 53 assists.
“Winning the state championship was one of my favorite memories from high school,” Brown said. “We all worked so hard to get to that point and for us to finally win it my senior year was amazing. Some of my favorite memories would be playing in the MHS vs. UHS games as they were always very competitive and a fun atmosphere.”
One of the reasons she chose to attend Auburn University is because of its similarity to West Virginia.
“After visiting Auburn and meeting the players and coaching staff I knew this was the place for me,” Brown said. “It reminded me of the WVU program, with the feeling of a home away from home. I considered playing for my mom, but ultimately, I knew I wanted something different for myself.
“One of my favorite things about Auburn is that everyone loves Auburn, and it feels like Auburn, Alabama isn’t all that different from Morgantown.
“Morgantown and Auburn are similar in the fact that they are both a college town where the residents have a passion for their city’s college teams,” Brown said. “Differently, Auburn’s campus is all in one area making it walkable from end to end. Also, Auburn is a lot flatter and hotter than Morgantown.”
Brown is majoring in Biomedical Science with a minor in Public Health.
“I am planning on going to graduate school to become an anesthesiologist assistant,” she said.
Sammie is not the only member of the Brown family who has decided to become a Tiger. Her sister Gracie is a freshman midfielder.
“It has been fun,” Sammie said. “We are very close and neither of us ever thought we would have the opportunity to play on the same team together due to our age gap. Thankfully with my fifth year, we were able to make it happen, and we are both excited to finally get to play together.”
Sammie also has a younger sister, Gabbie, currently playing for Morgantown High.
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