University of Hartford

AT HARTFORD
2026: Samela continued to excel in her junior season for the Hawks starting all 18 games. Lauren thrived in the draw control breaking the program-record with 137 this season. She also totaled 34 goals, 12 assists for 46 points and added 17 caused turnovers and 32 ground balls. Samela was named the CNE Defensive Player of the Week on March 16th and then later to the CNE All-Conference 2nd Team at the end of the season. She started the season off strong scoring a career-high six goals in a narrow loss at Vassar College. Lauren added a huge game on March 17th against Wentworth with three goals and three assists to go with five draws and two caused turnovers. Samela broke the single game draw controls record on April 22nd against Suffolk University getting 18 in a single game to go with a pair of goals. She ranks 7th in program history in career points (82), 7th in career goals (62), 5th in caused turnovers (34) and 2nd in draw controls (184).

2025: Samela appeared in 16 games, starting 15 during her debut season as a sophomore transfer. She scored 28 goals and added eight assists for a total of 36 points with a .746 SOG%. One of her standout games occurred on April 30th at Roger Williams, when she tallied three goals, six ground balls, and five draw controls in a crucial 15-14 victory. Defensively, Samela caused 17 turnovers, won 19 ground balls and 47 draw controls.

PRIOR TO HARTFORD: Graduate of Cheshire High School, where Samela was a two-year UA All-American National Watch List selection, two-year UA All-Americanm, 2023 First Team All-SCC choice, 2023 Second Team All-State selection. Lauren was a 2023 SCC Champion in lacrosse. Samela also competed in Volleyball where she was a First Team All-SCC selection, First Team All-Academic choice, 2023 Volleyball All-Record Journal Team and 2023 Volleyball All-New Haven Register Team. Lauren was a two-time SCC Champion in Volleyball.

AT WAGNER COLLEGE: Samela played one game for Wagner College in 2024 before transferring to the University of Hartford.