Texas Tech University Athletics
Martin Named Big 12 Freshman of the Week
September 22, 2020 | Women's Soccer
Madison Martin picks up conference honors after posting 110 shutout minutes in collegiate debut.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Madison Martin was recognized Tuesday as the Big 12 Conference's Freshman of the Week.
The honor was plenty deserved for the walk-on keeper from Southlake, who was called upon to step in net against Baylor in Texas Tech's season opener last Friday. She responded by holding the Bears scoreless for the entirety of regulation and both overtimes – a total of 110 minutes.
"Madison is a player that brings an abundance of positivity and energy every single training session," said associate head coach Gibbs Keeton. "The reward for bringing that attitude to training is you immediately make your fellow goalkeepers better as well as yourself better. Such a positive attitude means your team always has your back and trusts you. That was evident by the shutout Madison and the defense had on game day."
The 5-foot-4 keeper was tasked with starting for Tech after reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year Madison White was declared unavailable for the home opener. A product of powerhouse Southlake Carroll's state championship program, Martin is used to high-pressure situations.
"From the pressure that Carroll brought – in both football and soccer – it was such an easy transition," said Martin, who was also a placekicker for the Dragons. "It allowed me to grow exponentially mentally as well as physically for big moments like this one."
Still, the nerves were present as she stepped into the box in front of both the Red Raider faithful at the John Walker Soccer Complex and a national TV audience – the game was set for primetime television on ESPNU.
"Regardless of the preparation, I was still nervous leading up to the game," Martin said. "But once that first whistle blew, I knew my readiness would give me the confidence and ability to perform."
Despite the unexpected call to start and loads of pressure, Martin answered by making eight saves and posting a clean sheet over 110 minutes in net. Under the lights at The Walker, Martin shined.
Her biggest stop came in the 22nd minute when Baylor's Taylor Moon broke behind the Tech back line and found herself one-on-one with the keeper. Martin got into position, extended her right leg and deflected the ball up in the air. She then recovered quickly enough to jump and claim it as her teammates on the sidelines went wild.
Senior captain Kirsten Davis voiced her praise for the freshman following the game: "She looked as confident as ever. It didn't even look like she's never played in a college game before."
Martin's journey to Lubbock has been a winding one. Despite older sister Brittany, currently a redshirt junior on the squad, playing at Tech, Madison opted to attend Texas A&M and join the Corps of Cadets. Her 2019 state title match with Carroll would be her final soccer game. After one semester, however, the pull back to the pitch was too strong, and she decided to leave A&M and seek out places to play. She was soon on the phone with Stone and, shortly thereafter, in a car on her way to Lubbock.
Every opportunity to suit up with her sister at a perennial top-25 program is a blessing for Martin, who was unsure what kind of opportunities would be out there for her after missing a season.
"I knew what I was capable of, but I thought the situation I had been in wasn't going to give me a good case. It was amazing to call my parents and say, 'I'm going to Tech, and I'm going to play on a top-25 soccer team and I'm going to play with Brittany again.
"I'm still over the moon about it. I wake up every day and say, 'I'm at Texas Tech, and I play soccer here.'"
The honor was plenty deserved for the walk-on keeper from Southlake, who was called upon to step in net against Baylor in Texas Tech's season opener last Friday. She responded by holding the Bears scoreless for the entirety of regulation and both overtimes – a total of 110 minutes.
Got the call and answered it. @madi_em1 earned this. pic.twitter.com/tB5s0mWsGL
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) September 22, 2020
"Madison is a player that brings an abundance of positivity and energy every single training session," said associate head coach Gibbs Keeton. "The reward for bringing that attitude to training is you immediately make your fellow goalkeepers better as well as yourself better. Such a positive attitude means your team always has your back and trusts you. That was evident by the shutout Madison and the defense had on game day."
The 5-foot-4 keeper was tasked with starting for Tech after reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year Madison White was declared unavailable for the home opener. A product of powerhouse Southlake Carroll's state championship program, Martin is used to high-pressure situations.
"From the pressure that Carroll brought – in both football and soccer – it was such an easy transition," said Martin, who was also a placekicker for the Dragons. "It allowed me to grow exponentially mentally as well as physically for big moments like this one."
Still, the nerves were present as she stepped into the box in front of both the Red Raider faithful at the John Walker Soccer Complex and a national TV audience – the game was set for primetime television on ESPNU.
"Regardless of the preparation, I was still nervous leading up to the game," Martin said. "But once that first whistle blew, I knew my readiness would give me the confidence and ability to perform."
Despite the unexpected call to start and loads of pressure, Martin answered by making eight saves and posting a clean sheet over 110 minutes in net. Under the lights at The Walker, Martin shined.
Her biggest stop came in the 22nd minute when Baylor's Taylor Moon broke behind the Tech back line and found herself one-on-one with the keeper. Martin got into position, extended her right leg and deflected the ball up in the air. She then recovered quickly enough to jump and claim it as her teammates on the sidelines went wild.
1v1: ???????????? ?@madi_em1's ball all the way. pic.twitter.com/oJhtkmQsxz
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) September 21, 2020
Senior captain Kirsten Davis voiced her praise for the freshman following the game: "She looked as confident as ever. It didn't even look like she's never played in a college game before."
Martin's journey to Lubbock has been a winding one. Despite older sister Brittany, currently a redshirt junior on the squad, playing at Tech, Madison opted to attend Texas A&M and join the Corps of Cadets. Her 2019 state title match with Carroll would be her final soccer game. After one semester, however, the pull back to the pitch was too strong, and she decided to leave A&M and seek out places to play. She was soon on the phone with Stone and, shortly thereafter, in a car on her way to Lubbock.
Every opportunity to suit up with her sister at a perennial top-25 program is a blessing for Martin, who was unsure what kind of opportunities would be out there for her after missing a season.
"I knew what I was capable of, but I thought the situation I had been in wasn't going to give me a good case. It was amazing to call my parents and say, 'I'm going to Tech, and I'm going to play on a top-25 soccer team and I'm going to play with Brittany again.
"I'm still over the moon about it. I wake up every day and say, 'I'm at Texas Tech, and I play soccer here.'"
?? "Before you go to class, we have an announcement..."
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) September 22, 2020
The moment @madi_em1 found out ?? pic.twitter.com/ovtrVdk3FU
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
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