Sydney Martinez named AAC Goalkeeper of the Week

Junior goalkeeper Sydney Martinez (above) has made nine saves on the season thus far. USF ATHLETICS PHOTO

USF women’s soccer goalkeeper Sydney Martinez was named the AAC Goalkeeper of the Week, the conference announced Monday.

Junior forward Sydny Nasello and senior midfielder Sabrina Wagner also earned individual accolades by landing on the conference’s weekly honor roll. 

Despite conceding her first goal of the season Sunday against UCF, Martinez managed two crucial saves in USF’s (5-0-1, 4-0-0 AAC) War on I-4 triumph over the Knights.

Before that goal, Martinez and the Bulls held opponents scoreless for the first 540 minutes of the season.

Coach Denise Schilte-Brown was full of praise for Martinez and her importance to the team’s success.

“Sydney has been tremendous so far this season in net,” Schilte-Brown said. “Sydney makes that one big save a game that otherwise would’ve went in. She’s done that and more for us so far this year.”

Martinez has anchored a defensive unit for the Bulls that’s been among the best in the conference thus far. USF has only conceded one goal in its six matches.

“Sydney and our team’s defending has kept us in games throughout this season,” Schilte-Brown said.

USF is second in the AAC standings, behind only Memphis which is 6-1-0 overall and 5-0-0 in the conference.

Martinez and the No. 14 Bulls will hope to continue its undefeated run for the two fixtures in Texas this week. 

On Thursday, USF will take on SMU (1-1) in Dallas at 7 p.m. Three days later, the Bulls play in Houston against the Cougars (4-2-1) at 2 p.m.