CM Soccer Grad Pro League Pick
Sam Lofton Taken by Boston Breakers
BOSTON – Samantha “Sam” Lofton will soon be embarking on a professional soccer career.
The 2010 Central Mountain High School graduate earlier this month was taken by the Boston Breakers in the third round of the National Women’s Soccer League draft.
Lofton is believed to be the first soccer player, male or female, to be drafted into the professional ranks within the region according to her high school coach Ryan Veltri.
In the draft’s third round the Breakers selected Lofton, a defender out of James Madison University. A four-year starter and all-state performer at Central Mountain, Lofton was a two-time captain at James Madison.
She started 74 of 80 games for JMU and finished with six goals and 12 assists; she was a 2014 First Team All-Colonial Association pick. Breakers coach Tom Durkin called Lofton “a sleeper pick. She is a potential impact player for us in the long term.”
Lofton’s family is from Ipswich, Mass. During a speech following her selection last Friday, she said she is excited to return to Massachusetts.
She spent last summer with the Washington Spirit Reserves in the W-League last summer, terming her work there a great experience. “I think that was the reason I had the confidence to do this.”
The Breakers preseason camp starts March 9, their home opener April 25 against the Houston Dash at Harvard University.
The NWSL is the country’s top professional women’s soccer league; it began play in 2013 in eight cities.
Her high school coach Veltri was effusive in his praise of Lofton, calling her “the most dynamic player for us to ever come across.”
“Her passing accuracy, ability on the ball, and vision were beyond anything the central region of this state has ever seen in the girls’ game,” shared Veltri, “She was captivating to watch on the field, magical,” he added.
”It was an honor to have her within the program and watch her grow not only as a player but as an individual. She didn’t need High School soccer but learned valuable leadership skills, developed life lessons and was part of a family atmosphere. It was a great gift to us to have her be a part of the Wildcat family and watch her move into the college game and follow her through that. She has always paid tribute to us and supported Central Mountain even though she has been gone, commented Veltri.
Coach Veltri provided some background information about her in high school:
• 4X All-League Player
• 4X Varsity player/starter
• 2X All-State (PSCA) Player
• NSCAA Academic All-American
• Holds the Central Mountain Assist Record
• Holds the most goals in a game record
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Holds the most assists in a season, career and game record
• 4X Conference and League Champions (undefeated all four years)
• 2X District Finalist
• District Champion
• State Semi-Finalist
