O-R Athlete of the Week: Cailin Martin, Peters Township

Name: Cailin Martin

School: Peters Township

Class:

Sport:

Martin's week: The Indians' outside back doesn't often get the opportunity to put the ball on target, let alone score, but Martin was able to capitalize on two chances in critical moments that led Peters Township to victories in the semifinals and final of the WPIAL Class 4A girls soccer playoffs.

The Indians trailed North Allegheny, 1-0, in the semifinals Oct. 28 before trying the match in regulation to force overtime. Martin scored the "golden goal" with exactly nine minutes remaining on the clock in the first overtime to send her team to the championship game at Highmark Stadium.

Peters Township and Seneca Valley played 110 minutes in the final without either side conceding a goal, which led to a penalty-kicks shootout to determine the WPIAL champion.

With each team connecting on their first four attempts, the Raiders' fifth opportunity hit the crossbar to set the stage for Martin, who buried her low shot to the left side of the net and past Seneca Valley's goalkeeper for a 5-4 victory in the penalty shootout and a third WPIAL title for the Indians.

"I didn't even know what to do in that moment," said Martin. "My whole reaction was so spontaneous. I was just so excited. I am proud of our whole team."

Martin played all 110 minutes in the championship final. She doesn't plan on moving to midfield or forward, as she has settled in on defense.

"When I was younger, I used to play forward, but I found out that I liked defending and keeping it out of our own end," Martin said. "We take so much pride in our defense. Every single one of our players help one another out. We are like a pack in that we all believe in each other and support each other."

Out clubbing: Martin is a year-long soccer player, and she plays for Beadling Soccer Club out of Bridgeville. She is hopeful that the exposure from playing club soccer will help her with the recruitment process, as aspires to compete at the collegiate level.

Martin started playing soccer at a young age, but the goal to play at a high level began when she started with Beadling.

"I started playing when I was five," Martin said. "My mom was a soccer player, so I knew I wanted to go to soccer. I started taking more time with soccer when I joined Beadling. I was going to more tournaments and it was a different type of soccer."

Hitting the books: Soccer is definitely high on Martin's list of priorities, but if she doesn't make the grade, she won't be on the field, which is why academic success outweighs athletic achievements.

Compiled by Jonathan Guth