When she arrived at Bloomsburg University from Mansfield on a transfer, Samantha Merlin didn’t take long to make any adjustments.

Merklin, a former Pleasant Valley soccer goalie standout, recorded a 1.10 goals against average, allowing 20 goals in 19 games while registering 96 saves for the Huskies this past season — her senior year. Those numbers resulted in a 10-7-2 record.

The year before — her first with Bloomsburg — Merklin had an 0.68 goals against average, allowing just 13 goals in 19 games with 96 saves that went along with a 9-5-5 record.

“Upon her arrival, Sam had an immediate impact on our program,” said Bloomsburg head coach Matt Haney. “She made fast friends, and proved she had the talent and work rate to succeed in our program.

“Sam followed her impressive junior campaign with another very solid year for our team. She was named a captain, and helped lead us into the NCAA tournament her senior year.”

Parents Sharon and Rick Merklin gave their daughter an early start on the soccer field. Besides her parents, siblings Ricky, Keegan and Taylor also have played a huge role along her path.

“I started playing soccer at a really young age when I was four,” recalled Merklin, who was a six-time PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week during her career. “My parents put me in it, and ever since then I’ve never left the field.

“My siblings definitely played a big role because they pushed me a lot without even realizing it. But my biggest influences were definitely my parents. They pushed me every single day, supported me through everything, and along with them, honestly everyone who believed in me made a huge impact on my career.”

Her dad proved to be her biggest supporter.

“The coach who had the biggest influence on my career was my dad,” said Merklin. “He coached me when I was younger into a pretty decent age, and he taught me a lot. I’ve learned so much from him, and he has been one of the biggest influences on my game.”

Yet, Merklin always appreciated a time to honor her mother.

“I don’t really have one single favorite game because most of them were special in different ways,” reflected Merklin. “But if I had to pick, I’d say games on Mother’s Day when I was little. After the game we’d give our mom flowers, which made it really memorable.”

At Pleasant Valley, Merklin was an East Penn Conference First-Team All-Star and Most Valuable Player, an All-State selection, an All-Region selection, and a PA All-American First Team choice.

Her goalkeeper talents, however, didn’t happen in her early youth. Instead, she made her way to the net at Pleasant Valley — and it didn’t happen overnight.

“No, I wasn’t,” said Merklin when asked about being a goalie when she was younger. “I actually didn’t become a goalie until my freshman year of high school.

“It was my junior year of high school when I really felt comfortable being a goalie. That’s when everything really started to click for me.”

Pleasant Valley head girls soccer coach Tara Hyland felt fortunate to watch the four-year starter and two-year captain, who notched 308 saves her senior season, and had 643 for her career. Merklin allowed just 10 goals, and had a school-record 38 shutouts.

“Sam is a game changer with a passion for the game that has been unmatched,” said Hyland. “She took that into college, and had a fantastic career as well.

“I was lucky enough to be a part of her journey and get to watch her college journey unfold. She is the most accomplished player to come through Pleasant Valley.”

Entering her senior year at Bloomsburg, Merklin wanted to take a different route. Overall, it was a ride that she truly didn’t envision.

“Yeah, I definitely approached this year differently,” said Merklin. “I knew it was my last one, and I felt like I had nothing to lose, so I went out there with that mentality and just played.

“I never thought I’d accomplish as much as I did. It still surprises me when I look back at everything.”

She also hasn’t totally come to grips that her career is over.

“No, it honestly hasn’t hit me yet,” added Merklin, a First-Team All-PSAC East selection in 2024 and a Second Teamer in 2023 and 2025. “It still feels unreal that my college career is actually over.”

Merklin admitted times weren’t always easy, but she never lost her passion.

“No, there wasn’t a specific year when I felt frustrated,” said Merklin. “I’ve never thought about quitting. The game can definitely be frustrating at times, but I love it, and that’s just part of the sport.”

Like Hyland, Haney was impressed with Merklin’s overall transformation at Bloomsburg.

“Sam’s evolution came with gaining a greater understanding of the game overall and becoming a more confident, technical presence in the goalmouth,” emphasized Haney. “This came about because of her willingness to learn, and the (hard work) she possesses.”

Her struggles, if any, were minimal.

“The biggest obstacle that Sam had to overcome, in my opinion, was transferring into a new group and system,” added Haney. “She did this rather seamlessly due to her outgoing personality, and the welcoming nature of the members of our program.”

Merklin is aware that a new chapter is beginning, but she doesn’t plan to put her game on the shelf. It will just take a different avenue.

“I would consider going into coaching,” said Merklin. “I am currently coaching now, and also have coached over the summers.After graduation, I plan to be involved in the criminal justice field. I’m not 100% sure yet, but I am leaning toward criminal investigations.”

It will be another adjustment, but Merklin will likely make it look easy.