Former Lindenwood women's soccer standout Sam Blazek has signed a professional contract to play with FC Universitatea Olimpia Cluj Cluj-Napoca, a professional team located in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, for the 2023-2024 season.
 
FC Universitatea Olimpia Cluj-Napoca is a professional team in the top women's league in Romania, called the Liga 1 Feminin, that was founded in 2010. The club has won twelve consecutive league championships, since they joined the league, and also has played in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, three times (2011, 2012, 2015).
 
Blazek and the team are currently competing in the second-round of the UEFA women's champions league after winning in penalty kicks over Qiryat Gat a professional team located in Israel.  FC Universitatea Olimpia Cluj Cluj-Napoca's domestic league (Liga 1) season has recently begun play as well and will continue after this weekend.
 
"We are thrilled for Sam and all her success at the professional level. Her work rate, attitude, and athleticism are elite, so we are not surprised with all her success at the next level", said head Coach Dave Musso.
 
A Diamond Bar, Calif. native, Blazek was tabbed the OVC Goalkeeper of the Year a season ago and All-GLVC First Team in 2020. She made 112 saves last season, which led the conference while compiling seven shutouts. In her career as a Lion, Blazek made 198 saves (2019-2022) and accumulated fourteen shutouts.  In the classroom, Blazek earned scholastic all-region honors as selected by United Soccer Coaches.