Samantha Hodge Class: RS Junior Hometown: Louisville, Ky. High School: Mercy Academy Height: 5-6 Position: D

Feature Story on Sam Hodge in Asheville Citizen-Times - A Story of Courage (02/14/12)

2011:Named to the Capitol One District III All-Academic First Team ... Played and started in all 20 matches ... Led the team in goals scored (5) assists (6) and points (24) ... All three, goals, assists and points were career-highs ... Notched two game-winning goals, which also led the team, scoring game clinchers against UNC Asheville and The Citadel ... Took 24 shots and attempted one penalty kick ... Served as the Vice-President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) her second consecutive term in that position ... Helped organized pink games for all the Western Carolina sports that will be carried out throughout the 2011-12 seasons.

2010: Did not play.

2009: Started in nine contests and played in all 19 matches during the season ... Compiled 1,241 minutes of playing time .... Managed shots against Georgia Southern (Sept. 27) and UNC Greensboro (Oct. 8) ... Recorded a season-high two shots against Chattanooga on Oct. 4.

2008:Appeared in 20 games during freshman campaign, making 17 starts ... Took three shots, including one on goal against East Carolina (8/22) ... Spent the majority of the season along the back line for the Catamount defense.

High School: Four-year member of the varsity squad at Mercy Academy ... Three-time 2nd Team All-State selection, only missing the honor after her sophomore year, where she played in four games due to an injury ... As a freshman, set school records in goals (38) and assists (10), a record she would break and set twice more in her career ... Established a new school record for assists with 16 as a junior, following that with a new mark of 22 in her senior season ... Finished her prep career with 107 goals and 54 assists, both of which are Mercy Academy records ... Was named the 2006 Kentucky EuroSport Player of the Year ... Led her club team to Kentucky State Championships from 1999-2004 and 2006. Personal: Daughter of Jay and Stephanie Hodge ... Has two sisters, Jordan and Julia ... Her father ran cross country and track for Eastern Kentucky University.