Eastern women’s soccer head coach Tim Nowak always wanted Sam Balek on his team.

He began recruiting the red-shirt freshman defender during her junior year in high school, and although her route to becoming a Panther wasn’t a traditional path, he said he’s happy to have her on his team.

“We started recruiting Sam as a junior in high school,” Nowak said. “I was aware of for awhile as she was a very good club and high school player.”

Balek was a four-year standout at Fremd High School in Palatine. She led the Vikings to a second place finish in the Illinois High School Association Class AA state tournament in 2007 and was named the 2007 Chicago Sun-Times player of the year.

Nowak said he built a great relationship with Balek throughout the recruiting process and was hoping to have her join the Panthers as a member of the 2007 team.

However, Balek ended up choosing to attend Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz.

“I chose Arizona State because I wanted to go far away and I thought I was going to play soccer there,” Balek said. “But the coach I was talking to ended up leaving and then things just sort of fell through from there.”

Nowak said because Balek handled the situation with maturity he was happy when she contacted him about coming to Eastern.

“Sam had an opportunity to go far away from home and experience life in a different part of the country,” Nowak said. “After a semester there, I received an e-mail from her saying she was thinking about coming back and wanted to know if there was an opportunity for her here.

“Because of the maturity and respect she took throughout the recruiting process and how she handled everything, I was more than happy to have her come and train with us in the spring and she did a great job, worked really hard, and fit in here. We’re glad to have her.”

Despite the team’s 0-10-1 record, Balek has been a consistent figure on the field for the Panthers.

She’s second to senior defender Ashley Slota in minutes played this season and has played the entire game in six of the team’s 11 matches.

Nowak said that he has been very pleased with Balek’s play this season and she has fit into his system well.

“Sam’s a very good athlete,” Nowak said. “I think people underestimate her athleticism, even she does from time to time. She has great soccer instincts which is something that can’t be coached or developed. You either have it or you don’t.

“She is a hard worker and dedicated to helping the team and doing what needs to be done and that’s really the formula for her success right now.”

Even though her road to Eastern was unique, Balek said that she has enjoyed her time here.

“I definitely like it here and playing soccer here,” Balek said. “I love my teammate – they’re really awesomeand – I love the campus here.”

Balek has also started every contest for the Panthers this season.

She will join the team as they look to get in the win column this weekend. The team travels to Jacksonville, Ala for a 1 p.m. contest with Ohio Valley Conference foe Jacksonville State.

Collin Whitchurch can be reached at 581-7944 or at cfwhitchurch@eiu.edu.

Redshirt freshman defender Sam Balek kicks the ball during practice on Tuesday night in O’Brien Stadium. (Erin Matheny/The Daily Eastern News)

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