Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 2:27
Two standout goalkeepers from Santa Cruz County are navigating the demanding leap to NCAA Division I college soccer. After facing early setbacks at their first major programs, Alexa Malaspina and Sammy Martinez have found new opportunities closer to home, proving that resilience and strategic transfers can lead to meaningful playing time at the highest collegiate level.
Transitioning from junior college or Division II programs to the fastest tier of collegiate athletics requires a massive adjustment. Malaspina, a graduate of Monte Vista Christian School, spent her freshman year at Colorado Springs before moving to Utah. She quickly learned that Division I soccer features significantly faster shot velocity and quicker decision making windows. To keep up, she had to elevate her physical conditioning and reaction speed. Despite suffering a concussion and foot injury while playing semiprofessionally for the Monterey Bay Sirens, Malaspina earned three starts for Sacramento State, recording 20 saves and securing two victories against Southern Utah and Fresno State.
Sammy Martinez followed a remarkably parallel path. A first team junior college All American at Hartnell College in Salinas, she dominated with a 79.2 percent save rate before transferring to Oregon State. When the program environment no longer aligned with her development goals, she made the difficult decision to transfer again. Now competing for San Diego State, Martinez has appeared in two matches, accumulating 27 minutes of goal time without allowing a single goal. Her ability to maintain a clean sheet in limited exposure highlights her sharp reflexes and composure under pressure.
The decision to return to California was driven by a mix of athletic ambition and personal support systems. Both athletes emphasized the importance of having family nearby to attend games and provide emotional stability during high stress competitive seasons. Malaspina specifically noted that proximity to loved ones played a crucial role in her choice to join the Sacramento State Hornets. Meanwhile, Martinez expressed relief at being back on familiar soil, noting that her mental well being improved significantly once she relocated to San Diego State. Their journeys highlight how local networks and regional comfort can directly impact athletic performance and career longevity.
Transferring multiple times in collegiate athletics is increasingly common but rarely easy. Many student athletes initially aim for power programs only to discover they lack immediate roster spots, prompting second or third moves to secure actual game experience. Historically, goalkeepers face particularly steep learning curves when ascending divisions due to the split second nature of the position. Both players embody the modern trend of prioritizing consistent playing time over prestige, ultimately finding pathways that suit their developmental needs.
Malaspina is balancing communications studies with a real estate minor, eyeing careers in property management or sales. Martinez is pursuing kinesiology and psychology, aiming for roles as a physical therapist or sports psychologist. As the season progresses, both goalies remain focused on maximizing every minute on the pitch. Malaspina continues to anchor Sacramento State defense while Martinez prepares to compete for a starting role next season. Their stories serve as a testament to perseverance in modern college sports.
