High school soccer; Medina's Steven Samuelson stands out because of his size -- and his talent

It's hard not to notice Steven Samuelson. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Medina senior looks as much like an outside linebacker as he does a center back on the boys soccer team. It wasn't always that way for Samuelson, who burst on the scene four seasons ago two inches shorter and 35 pounds lighter. A junior varsity "B" player as a freshman, he got the call up to play on varsity during its 2017 state final run. Still learning the ropes for the eventual state runners-up, Samuelson's first career score was the game-winner in a 2-0 district final win over Copley. "He's part of the success of the program," Medina coach Simon Spelling said. "You get people who you feel are ready to contribute at the right part of the season and you can see if they can sink or swim. Steve didn't need a snorkel." Four games later, Samuelson was a starting holding midfielder in the state championship game at MAPFRE Stadium. "The nerves were huge," Samuelson said. "Even a couple days before, I was nervous that whole week. I knew the whole postseason and just my whole career coming up to that, it's what I worked for. It was to be in that spot." As Medina (18-1-2) prepares for its Division I state semifinal with reigning state champion St. Ignatius on Wednesday, Samuelson hasn't come off the field since that 2017 postseason and has become one of the biggest voices on a team that plays in perfect harmony. Since he came to the parent club, the Bees are 23-2 in the playoffs and own a 2018 state title. "Mentally and physically, he's a stud," Spelling said. "People rely on him. He's never fazed. He's never panicked. Everything is hard. Everything is fair. They know Steven Samuelson is going to be there if they need him." Part of a defense that has allowed only four goals this season and 45 shots on frame, Samuelson, along with Weston Mansier, is the heart of the back line. That heart doesn't just beat for Jimmy Neate, Jacob Miller and Mansier on defense, it pumps life into keeper Ryan Miller behind Samuelson and Gavin Csiszar in front of him. Miller is more than capable of making the big save if he's called upon, but knows that Samuelson will have everyone organized and ready to go. "He's something else," Miller said. "It's very nice to have him there. He's got the experience. He's a tremendous help. He's had the four years of experience. He knows what it takes in these types of games. He's not afraid of these games. It's just another game to him, which is very good from our standpoint." Csiszar, who has played in every postseason game as well the last four seasons, knows just what he has in his fellow senior. It allows him to go forward in the midfield and take chances many players wouldn't take because Samuelson is there to clean up anything and everything. "Our whole offense is comfortable pushing up because we know Steven is going to lock it down," Csiszar said. "Our whole defense makes us confident. It's great to have them there." The way Samuelson sees it, having goalkeepers like Miller, Jake Vogrin and Tyler Glasenapp behind him in the present and past and seeing Csiszar playing in front of him has been key. "Those kinds of guys make the players around them better," Samuelson said. "It helps me in every single game. I know they're going to help me be better and I'm going to help them be better." Contact Brad Bournival at bournival929@gmail.com.