Samantha Cary Angel Bio
Samantha Cary Angel is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left back or center back for Boston Legacy FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), on loan from Chicago Stars FC. A native of Missouri, she first rose to prominence at the University of Iowa, where she set program records in career appearances, starts, and minutes for the Hawkeyes. After being drafted by Racing Louisville FC in the 2024 NWSL Draft, she launched her professional career in Sweden with IFK Norrköping before returning to the United States to compete in the top flight of American women’s soccer.
Early Life and Background
Samantha Cary Angel was born on October 26, 2000, in St. Charles, Missouri. She grew up in a supportive household as the daughter of Andrew Cary and Kim Cary, and she has one brother, Zac. Angel began playing club soccer in second grade, starting at a small local club before moving on to the well-known St. Louis Scott Gallagher youth program. She also ran track during her middle school years, building the athletic foundation that would later support her progression in the sport.
Angel attended Francis Howell North High School in Missouri, where she quickly established herself as one of the top players in the region. Across her high school career, she earned three-time all-state, all-region, and all-conference honors while serving as a team leader in goals and assists. Her leadership helped Francis Howell North capture two district titles and one conference championship, setting the stage for a successful transition into the college game.
Path to Professional Soccer
Angel graduated from high school a semester early and matriculated at the University of Iowa, where she majored in public health. She joined the Iowa Hawkeyes soccer program in 2019 and made an immediate impact, scoring her first collegiate goal on September 13, 2019, with a long-range strike in a 4–0 win over Northern Colorado. The following season, Angel played a central role as the Hawkeyes captured the 2020 Big Ten title and advanced to the NCAA tournament, recording their first-ever NCAA victory with a 1–0 win over Campbell, a result secured by Angel’s game-winning assist.
Across her five-year college career, Angel became the all-time leader at Iowa in games played (97), games started (96), and minutes played (8,322), while also contributing 5 goals and 11 assists from the back line. In her fifth year, she helped Iowa secure another Big Ten title, was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Tournament, and was selected to the tournament first team. During her summers and offseasons, she gained valuable senior experience with the Chicago Red Stars Reserves in 2021 and Racing Louisville’s USL W League side in 2022, where she appeared in 11 matches as the team finished third in the Great Lakes Division.
Samantha Cary Angel Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Angel’s developmental years were split between the University of Iowa and competitive summer leagues. At Iowa, she transformed from a freshman contributor into the program’s most decorated defender, setting records that underscored her durability and consistency. With the Chicago Red Stars Reserves and later Racing Louisville’s USL W side, she tested herself against older competition, gaining the experience that prepared her for the professional ranks.
Racing Louisville FC (2024)
Following her final college season, Angel was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NWSL Draft as the 48th overall pick by Racing Louisville FC, becoming the first Hawkeye ever drafted into the National Women’s Soccer League. She spent five weeks training with the club and appeared in one preseason match before opting to leave in March 2024 in search of consistent playing time and further development.
IFK Norrköping Breakthrough (2024–2025)
On March 1, 2024, Angel signed her first professional contract with Swedish Damallsvenskan club IFK Norrköping on a one-year deal. She immediately earned the starting left back role and started all 26 league matches during her rookie season, scoring her first Damallsvenskan goal on May 5, 2024, in a victory over rivals Linköping. In August 2024, she signed a one-year extension keeping her with Norrköping through November 2025, and finished the campaign as an Iron Woman, helping the club finish fifth in Damallsvenskan, its highest league placement in team history.
The following season, Angel helped lead Norrköping on a historic Svenska Cupen run that carried the team to the final, where they ultimately fell to Hammarby. She appeared in every match leading up to her departure and scored the game-tying goal in her final appearance, a 1–1 draw against Växjö DFF. Her reliability in Sweden firmly established her reputation as a dependable, minute-eating defender.
Chicago Stars Era (2025–Present)
Angel returned to the United States in June 2025, signing a two-year contract with Chicago Stars FC. She made her NWSL debut on August 31, 2025, starting and playing 72 minutes in a 1–1 draw with the Washington Spirit. She went on to add three more appearances that season as the Stars finished in last place, gaining her footing in the league. On April 6, 2026, Angel joined NWSL expansion side Boston Legacy FC on loan through June, with a mutual option for the clubs to extend the loan for the remainder of the season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Angel is recognized for her durability, defensive discipline, and composure on the ball. Comfortable at both left back and center back, she combines strong positioning with reliable distribution out of the back. Her ability to log heavy minutes, evidenced by her Iron Woman status at IFK Norrköping and her record-setting career at Iowa, has made her a trusted anchor on every defensive line she has joined.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature achievements, Angel became the first Iowa Hawkeye ever drafted into the NWSL, set the program’s all-time records for appearances, starts, and minutes, and played every minute of every match in her rookie Damallsvenskan season. She also contributed a game-winning assist in Iowa’s first-ever NCAA tournament victory and helped Norrköping reach the Svenska Cupen final.
Samantha Cary Angel Career Wins
Samantha Cary Angel’s career is defined more by defensive reliability and record-setting consistency than by goal-scoring totals. Across her college and professional career, she has helped her teams capture two Big Ten titles, two district championships, one conference title, and historic league and cup runs at IFK Norrköping.
Damallsvenskan and Svenska Cupen Highlights
Angel appeared in 26 of 26 league matches during her rookie season with IFK Norrköping and was part of the club’s highest-ever league finish, a fifth-place result in Damallsvenskan. She helped guide the team to the Svenska Cupen final and scored the game-tying goal against Växjö DFF in her final match for the club.
Other Wins and Performances
Angel contributed to the 2020 and 2023 Big Ten titles at Iowa, earning individual recognition as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Tournament in 2023. She was a three-time all-state, all-region, and all-conference selection at Francis Howell North, where she led the program to two district titles and one conference championship.
Samantha Cary Angel Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Angel is the daughter of Andrew Cary and Kim Cary and grew up alongside her brother, Zac. Her family supported her early athletic development in St. Charles, Missouri, where she began playing club soccer in second grade and later joined the St. Louis Scott Gallagher youth program.
Personal Life
Angel is married to Trey Angel, whom she met on the online dating app Tinder while both were students at the University of Iowa. The couple married in December 2023, and she has since been known professionally by the surname Angel.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Samantha Cary Angel’s return to American soccer after a successful two-year stint in Sweden. She joined Chicago Stars FC in June 2025 on a two-year deal and made her long-awaited NWSL debut on August 31, 2025, in a 1–1 draw with the Washington Spirit. Although the Stars finished the season in last place, Angel’s four appearances offered a glimpse of the defensive stability she had displayed in the Damallsvenskan.
Her early-season acclimation to the pace and physicality of the NWSL was the central storyline of her 2025 campaign. Drawing on her Iron Woman pedigree from IFK Norrköping, she focused on earning a regular starting role and building chemistry with the Chicago back line. The experience positioned her as a key piece for the Stars as the club moved into 2026, with her contract running through 2027.