Samantha Murphy has quickly become one of Ontario’s most exciting and dynamic talents in women’s soccer. Hailing from Aurora, Ontario, she made her mark in the League1 Ontario (now known as Ontario Premier League) Women’s Premier Division with the Woodbridge Strikers, where her prolific scoring prowess earned her the league’s Most Valuable Player, Forward of the Year, and Golden Boot honours after netting 18 goals in 16 games in the 2024 season.

Murphy also starred at the university level, first playing NCAA Division I with the University of Memphis, making the 2018, 2019 and 2020 AAC All-Academic teams, and lately as a forward for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, where she racked up eye-catching performances, including multi-goal games and was recognised as an OUA West First Team All-Star and OUA Athlete of the Week.

In addition to her success in outdoor soccer, Murphy took part in the competitive TST tournament last year, reaching the semifinals with her team, Ultrain FC, and contributed to coaching and development roles, including working with youth at Waterloo United. Most recently, she has brought her attacking talent to FC Berlin in the MASL-W indoor league, where she’s been one of the key veterans relied on to lead the team in the club’s debut season.

With a firm footing across multiple tiers of Canadian and international women’s soccer, Murphy’s story embodies the drive and adaptability of a modern footballer, from Ontario’s pro‑am circuit to indoor pro competition and beyond.

You grew up in Aurora, Ontario; what first drew you to soccer and who were your biggest influences as a youth player?
Both of my brothers grew up playing soccer, and it was something we all could do together as a family. I loved playing and competing with them. My grandpa was also a big influence on my passion for the sport. He grew up in North London and is a Tottenham Hotspur fan. He always took an interest in my playing, would come to all of my games, and we would watch soccer together almost every Saturday!

Professionally, I loved watching Melissa Tancredi and Diana Matheson play on the women’s side. I looked up to their style of play, work rate and resilience on the field. On the men’s side, Gareth Bale was my biggest influence – I would always watch his highlights and try to mimic his moves.

How did your time playing youth soccer prepare you for later success in League1 Ontario and university soccer?
From an early age, I was lucky to have a strong support system through both my family and my coaches. My parents always encouraged me and supported me through the highs and lows. My coaches pushed me to be my best and helped me build a strong foundation of skills, but more importantly, they taught me the value of hard work and discipline. Through youth soccer, I developed not only my technical and tactical abilities, but also the mentality needed to compete at the higher levels.

How do you reflect on your MVP and Golden Boot campaign with Woodbridge Strikers in 2024?
My MVP and Golden Boot season with Woodbridge was a true team achievement. While I’m grateful for the recognition, those honours wouldn’t have been possible without the people around me. My teammates put me in the best positions to succeed, and I share that success with all of them.

How did balancing your university studies and high‑level soccer shape you both on and off the field?
It taught me resilience as I had to manage a demanding schedule and a lot of different challenges while still expecting to produce and be successful when things felt overwhelming. It also strengthened my work ethic, because I learned how to stay disciplined, manage my time, and consistently give my best both academically and athletically.

Off the field, it helped me gain perspective and taught me to appreciate the small things in life – whether that was time with my teammates, small wins in school, or moments to reset and recharge.

What have you enjoyed most about being part of the FC Berlin setup, both on and off the pitch?
What I’ve enjoyed most about being part of FC Berlin is the people and the sense of community. It’s a club I genuinely love playing for because of the environment and the group I get to surround myself with, both on and off the field. Everyone is there for the same reason. We share the same passion and goals, and that creates a really strong connection within the team. We’re competitive and love to win, but we also make sure to enjoy the game and have fun with each other. Some of my favourite moments have come during away trips, where the team bonding really stands out and brings us even closer together.

You took part in the TST tournament last year — how do events like that contribute to your development and enjoyment of the game?
Taking part in TST was an incredible experience on and off the field. It introduced me to so many high-level, like-minded players who have gone through similar challenges as a female athlete. It pushed me to adapt and compete in a different environment, helping me grow as a player, while also reminding me of how fun the game can be. Being surrounded by passionate, competitive players made the experience really special, and it also opened doors for more similar opportunities in the future.

You’re also involved with coaching roles like with Waterloo United — how does working with younger players influence your perspective as a professional athlete?
Working with younger athletes reminds me why I fell in love with the game in the first place and helps me stay grounded. It’s also really important to me to be a positive female role model. I want to be someone they can look up to and feel comfortable asking questions. I want to support them not just as players, but as people, and hopefully inspire them to believe in themselves and pursue their goals in the sport.

How do you hope to continue contributing to the growth of women’s soccer in Ontario and beyond?
Women’s soccer is continuing to grow, and there are more opportunities now for Canadians to play at a high level closer to home due to the introduction of the Northern Super League. I hope to keep contributing through playing and coaching with the goal of inspiring younger female athletes to stay in the game and believe that those pathways are possible for them. Bringing MASLW to Canada was a huge achievement this season, and I’m proud to be part of that growth. I hope the support continues to build so the women’s game can keep expanding and create even more opportunities.