By: Joey Mullins
Samford Athletics
 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – While Samford senior goalkeeper Morgan McAslan was growing up in Canada, soccer was always a big part of her family, and especially a big part of her relationship with her father.
 
McAslan's father, Stuart, played soccer growing up and eventually played college soccer in the United States and even played beyond that level. She said he has always been there for her throughout her playing career.
 
"He also went to the states to play at Akron," McAslan said. "He got a scholarship there and he played his whole life. He was also with the Canadian National Team at some point. So, he really influenced me, he was my coach growing up, and he is very invested in my soccer. So, he kind of pushed me to get into it and we grew that love together, going to games and stuff like that. So, it's been always like a big thing for us and a big part of our relationship."
 
Soccer, however, was not the only sport McAslan played growing up. She played, among others, basketball, soccer, hockey, volleyball and softball. When it came time to choose a sport to stick with, she said her family's connection to the sport was a big factor in her choosing soccer.
 
"I think when I got older, I was debating between just playing hockey or just playing soccer," McAslan said. "I think the family connection, my uncle and my grandpa always loved soccer and that's the sport they played growing up was a big factor. So, I had more of a connection to it and I found I was better at it, so I liked it more. I just saw myself having a better future with soccer."
 
McAslan wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and come to the United States to play college soccer. So, she signed with Ole Miss and moved from Waterdown, Ontario, Canada to Oxford, Mississippi, to start her collegiate career. McAslan said there were a lot of differences between her native Canada and the southern United States.
 
"There were a lot of difference, just slight differences," McAslan said. "Since I came from the north and went directly to the south, there was a big difference. In terms of soccer, in the states they are more physical. In terms of everything, it was funny how there are different fast-food chains and restaurants I'd never been to. I'd never been to Waffle House or anything like that, the standards. I'd never been to Olive Garden. But also, I feel like, Canada is a little more liberal too, so that was the biggest adjustment for me. I was like, this a little bit different, it was a little bit of a culture shock, honestly. I was a little bit thrown off by that."
 
McAslan played the 2018 season at Ole Miss. She saw action in the final eight games of the season, earning the start in the final seven contests. She posted a record of 5-3 and a 1.64 goals against average for the Rebels. McAslan talked about the experience of playing for an SEC program.
 
"It was a very cool experience," McAslan said. "They've got so much money that the student-athlete experience is pretty insane. Just the gear you get, the media, everything is pretty crazy. Also, being able to support the other teams, like going to football games or basketball games, it was a really fun environment to be in. But at the same time, I feel like at those bigger schools it's not as much of a family like at a smaller school and how much community you have and how much people really care at this school. So, it is different, but it was a very cool experience to be there and get to see some SEC football live."
 
After her freshman season at Ole Miss, McAslan decided she wanted to continue her playing career at another institution. She said the fact that Samford has traditionally been competitive with bigger schools played a big part in her choosing to come to Samford.
 
"I think mostly that I wanted to go to a program that was still going to compete with all of the big Power Five schools," McAslan said. "And Coach Yelton always has a very competitive non-conference schedule. We play tons of SEC schools, top 25 schools, so I love that part of it. I also liked coming to a team that the standard is winning the SoCon, winning a ring every year and still getting to the NCAA Tournament. Also, just I loved the coaches and how close the team seemed to be with each other. I just really wanted to go somewhere where I felt valued and appreciated and a part of something that's bigger than myself. I think that was the biggest part for me."
 
McAslan enjoyed success right away when she arrived at Samford. In her first season in 2019, she helped lead the Bulldogs to a Southern Conference regular-season championship and tournament title. She was named first team All-SoCon after posting a record of 13-4-4 and a goals against average of 0.89. She was also named the SoCon Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. She said earning the tournament's MOP award was a special experience.
 
"That was a great feeling," McAslan said. "It was probably one of my best Samford memories, just because I had just come to a new school, trying to prove myself in my first year at Samford and I wanted to make a big statement that year. So, I think getting that award and proving myself that I fit in here, that I'm doing well and I'm on the right track and kind of getting my confidence back after having to transfer was a big turning point for me. Having the confidence to go forward and know that I'm going to be a big part of the team was big for me."
 
The following season, the Bulldogs won another SoCon regular season title, playing in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Samford reached the finals of the SoCon Tournament again before falling to Furman in the title game. In the fall of 2021 Samford turned in one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Bulldogs finished with an impressive 16-3-3 overall record, and the team registered a 9-0 SoCon mark. The team won an eighth-straight SoCon regular-season title and then won the SoCon Tournament.
 
In the NCAA Tournament, the Bulldogs made history, registering the program's first outright NCAA Tournament win, defeating Auburn, 2-0, in the first round. In the second round, Samford played St. John's to a 2-2 tie, before losing on penalty kicks. McAslan said being a part of the win over Auburn was a special experience.
 
"That was super, super exciting," McAslan said. "I think we all still talk about it and think about it every practice. We all knew the whole year that we could compete with those teams. But it was more about showing everyone else, showing other NCAA teams, putting Samford on the map, and proving that we could compete with the best teams. So, I think that was our main goal because everyone kept underestimating us, or thinking Auburn was going to have an easy win. It was a pretty amazing feeling for all of us, just knowing that was really exciting and it made a big statement, and it was awesome."
 
McAslan is now in her final season in a Samford uniform. She hopes, however, that this season is not the end of her playing career.
 
"The NWSL Draft is in December, so I'm going to put my name into the draft and see what happens," McAslan said. "I'm going to go to some open tryouts too for the NWSL, hoping to play in the states professionally. But if not, I'll try to take my skills elsewhere, abroad, just any way I can continue to play."
 
Regardless of what happens concerning professional soccer, McAslan will graduate this fall with a degree in secondary education. She wants to play as long as she can but will probably go into coaching and teaching once her playing days are over.
 
McAslan and her teammates have given Samford fans a lot to be proud of, and we are all excited to see what lies ahead for her senior season and beyond.
 
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