I had the chance to ask Alabama commit and 2025 forward Sophia Martelli a few questions about her soccer career.
Q: How long have you been playing soccer, and what positions do you usually play?
Soph: "I have been playing soccer since I was 3 years old, and I usually play striker, winger, and midfield."
Q: Can you describe your playing style and strengths on the field?
Soph: "My playing style is running at people at speed with the ball and lots of combining up front."
Q: What do you love most about soccer?
Soph: "What I love most about soccer is that it is my escape from reality; it takes my mind away from all distractions and just lets me get away."
Q: Have you played for any club teams or participated in any tournaments or competitions? If so, which ones, and what were your experiences like?
Soph: "I have played with my current team, the Atlanta Fire, since I was 11 years old, and I have made some lifelong bonds with some amazing people there. I also play for Buford High School, and I have also had great experiences and made lots of memories playing with my high school team."
Q: What are your short-term and long-term goals in soccer?
Soph: "My short-term goals for right now are to hopefully make all region players for HS and a USYNT camp and to keep improving by the time I am in college. My long-term goal is to go pro after college."
Q: How do you balance your commitment to soccer with your academic or work responsibilities?
Soph: "It is easy for me to balance soccer and school because I have been doing it for so long, but what helps is just staying on schedule and being organized."
Q: What accomplishments in your soccer career are you most proud of?
Soph: "I am most proud of my commitment to the University of Alabama as well as playing in a few ECNL select games."
Q: What made you commit to Alabama?
Soph: "The reason I decided to commit to Alabama was because it has always had the feeling of home, and when I went to camp, I just knew this was the place for me."
Q: Do you have any other hobbies or interests outside of soccer?
Soph: "My favorite thing to do is go to the lake since I live so close to one. I am there often, and I play lots of pickleball and spikeball with my friends."
Q: Do you have a favorite pro soccer team or favorite soccer player? Soph: "My favorite pro soccer team is by far Juventus, but my favorite pro soccer player is Mallory Swanson."
Q: You have to sum up your soccer career in one word. What would it be?
Soph: "Exciting."
Check out Sophia. Her Twitter is: https://twitter.com/SophMartelli