Pleasant Valley graduate Samantha Merklin was recently named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s Eastern Division Women’s Defensive Soccer Player of the Week.

Merklin, a junior goalie for Bloomsburg University, has yet to concede a goal during the 2024 season. She posted seven saves in a pair of shutout victories during the Huskies opening weekend.

The PV grad and Effort resident made easy work of the one shot she faced against Goldey-Beacom, before recording six saves during the maroon and gold’s trip to West Virginia State.

Merklin originally attended Mansfield University, where she was an All-PSAC East Second Team goalie in 2023. As a Mountaineer, she appeared in 29 games and had a 1.95 goals against average with 205 total saves and three shutouts.