Rising Roll Call
Arkansas Rising Alum | Samford University | NCAA D1 Standout
At Arkansas Rising, our mission has always been to help players reach their potential both on and off the field. Few stories capture that better than Sam Deluca, a 2023 Arkansas Rising graduate who continues to shine at the NCAA Division I level.
From Arkansas Rising to NCAA D1 Excellence
Sam’s journey from Arkansas Rising to Samford University is a testament to her hard work, competitive drive, and love for the game. During her time with Rising, she was a cornerstone of one of the club’s most successful eras.
In 2020, Sam helped lead her team to a Red River NPL regular season championship and a semi-final finish at the NPL National Tournament. That same year, they also captured the USYS Arkansas State Championship and reached the semi-finals of the USYS Regional Tournament finishing the season 35th in the nation, 6th in the region, and 1st in the state.
As the club transitioned to the ECNL-RL North Texas Conference in 2021, the success continued. Sam’s team went undefeated in both ECNL-RL and USYS play, claimed another Arkansas State Championship, and once again reached the semi-finals in the USYS Regional Tournament.
Record-Breaker and Leader
At
Episcopal Collegiate School, Sam scored an incredible
60 goals with
17 assists in her senior year alone. Her dominant play earned her two of the state’s highest honors:
🏆
2023 Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year
🏆 2023 Arkansas Preps Player of the Year
After starting her collegiate career at Saint Louis University, Sam transferred to Samford University, where she’s continued to excel. Now a junior, she leads the Southern Conference (SoCon) in both goals (11) and points (24). Her recent hat trick against Virginia Military Institute was the first for Samford since 2021, earning her the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week award.
Her 11 goals so far this season are the most by any Samford player since 2017 and currently rank her 5th nationally among all NCAA D1 women’s players.
In Her Words: Sam Reflects
“Arkansas Rising shaped me as a player and a person. It gave me a place to challenge myself every day while being surrounded by teammates and coaches who pushed me to grow.
The biggest thing I learned was consistency showing up every single day ready to work, even when things don’t go your way. That mindset has stuck with me in college and in life.
Playing at Rising prepared me for the intensity of college soccer. The coaches and older players helped me navigate the recruiting process and find the right fit for me.
My advice to current Rising players: take every training seriously, stay coachable, and never forget to have fun. Soccer is meant to be enjoyed.”
In Our Words: Coaches Reflect
“Couldn’t be prouder of Sam—one of the top NCAA scorers this year! Her journey is a reflection of resilience, determination, and love for the game. Everyone at Arkansas Rising is so proud to see her success at the next level.”
– Mark Gibbs
“Sam has always set the standard when it comes to work ethic. She brought an intensity that pushed everyone around her to be better. What sets her apart isn’t just her talent, but her humility and relentless drive to grow.”
– Alex Burgess
From Little Rock to the national stage, Sam Deluca continues to embody what Arkansas Rising stands for: hard work, humility, and heart.
Keep shining, Sam—your Rising family is cheering you on every step of the way.
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