WPU Soccer Players Roberts, Samuel Suiting Up for Home Country

Oskaloosa–For the last three years, Breana Roberts and Zolique Samuel have worn the navy and gold for the William Penn Statesmen, but recently they earned the right to don colors that mean even more to them.

The duo has accepted invitations to compete for their home country Antigua and Barbuda on its women’s soccer national team.

The small island county, which is located in the southeastern region of the Caribbean, has just shy of 100,000 inhabitants, but like most others like it, enjoys soccer as its national pastime. Therefore, not only a call to attend one of their national camps, but actually earning a spot on the squad, is a huge honor.

Roberts and Samuel have been members of the Statesmen soccer teams since the 2019 campaign; Roberts also competes for WPU’s track and field program. Both have made their presence felt on the pitch, most notably with Samuel starting in 15 of William Penn’s 17 games this past fall.

The duo have had opportunities to be part of training sessions with the national team for years, but as both have progressed in their soccer journeys, they have gotten more serious about actually making the team.

Wish has become reality as they are not only on the team, but they were selected as starters recently when Antigua and Barbuda faced off in a pair of friendlies against the U.S. Virgin Islands last week. The contests were both wins (4-0 and 2-1).

Now in CONCACAF qualifying games, the squad fell to Puerto Rico 4-0 on Wednesday; Samuel was again a starter in that matchup.

The process has been a swift one with the Statesmen student-athletes both being asked to come home just a few weeks ago. Fortuitously for Samuel, she did not have to get on any extra plane flights as she was unable to return to the United States at the start of the semester due to a positive COVID test.

Both have been and will continue to study remotely during their tenure with the national team.

Today’s (Sunday’s) contest against Mexico will conclude the current tour, and with their strong standing with the national squad, it is likely they will continue to represent their nation for as long as they desire.

Roberts and Samuel both express such extreme pride for this national team opportunity.

“It is an honor because I do it for the love of my country and the pride I have wearing my jersey,” Roberts said.

“Being able to represent my country doing something I love is always an honor,” Samuel said. “Whilst I wear this flag on my chest, with success or failure, my head will be held high.”