University of Minnesota Athletics
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Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
From Minnesota to the National Stage: Martin’s U.S. Soccer Opportunity
8/8/2025 10:54:00 AM | Soccer
Sarah Martin reflects on her time at the U.S. Soccer College ID Camp from this past summer
The goalkeeper is often seen as a lonely position - one that demands mental toughness. Tasked with defending the goal by any means necessary, they are usually the last line of defense. One mistake can mean everything. But at Minnesota, that job feels far from lonely.
On a random Wednesday night, redshirt sophomore Sarah Martin received a text that would mark a turning point in her career. It was from head women's soccer coach Erin Chastain, informing her that she'd been selected by U.S. Soccer to attend its Women's College Talent ID Camp.
"A couple of weeks before the camp, Coach Erin texted me letting me know that I was being selected to attend," said Martin. "You never expect that kind of news… so it hardly felt real at first."
Martin, a native of Champlin, Minn., was one of just 42 players chosen from across the country. The Talent ID Camp is part of U.S. Soccer's new strategy to identify and create opportunities for top collegiate soccer athletes across the NCAA.
After a standout season as Minnesota's starting goalkeeper, the opportunity was one Martin knew she had to embrace - both to develop her game and to soak in an elite environment.
"We discussed the current state of women's soccer in the world, and they gave us a glimpse into what U.S. Soccer is doing to stay on the cutting edge of the female game," Martin said. "I was blown away by how intentional the conversation was, and how much they wanted to hear about our experiences as this generation of female soccer players."
Held in Atlanta, Ga., at the new U.S. Soccer training facility, the camp brought Martin face-to-face with top talent - both players and coaches.
"I had the fantastic opportunity to work with U.S. Women's National Team Goalkeeper Coach Stuart Searle and walked away with several new insights into goalkeeping," Martin shared. "The training environment was designed to closely mimic the in-game demands of our position. We didn't get a ton of reps, so each one had to count. That focus is something I've really taken with me. In games, you might only have a few key moments, but they matter the most."
Martin credits her ability to rise to the challenge to her experience at Minnesota under Coach Chastain, her teammates, and Minnesota's competitive environment.
"I wasn't sure what to expect. But once our first session started, I realized - this is just goalkeeping. I do this every day," she said. "I trusted my preparation because of the level we train at here. The mental toughness our environment builds helped me bounce back from mistakes and enjoy the camp experience."
After playing a crucial role in one of the most successful Gopher soccer seasons in program history, Martin is ready to carry that momentum into her redshirt sophomore year.
"I'm looking forward to building off our success from 2024 and facing some of the fantastic opponents ahead," said Martin. "We have such a new, fun group, and I'm so pumped to see how we come together on the field."
As she continues her journey with Minnesota, Martin brings with her the lessons, confidence and inspiration gained from the U.S. Soccer Talent ID Camp. Now, with her focus set on this coming season, she's helping build the future of Gopher soccer.
On a random Wednesday night, redshirt sophomore Sarah Martin received a text that would mark a turning point in her career. It was from head women's soccer coach Erin Chastain, informing her that she'd been selected by U.S. Soccer to attend its Women's College Talent ID Camp.
"A couple of weeks before the camp, Coach Erin texted me letting me know that I was being selected to attend," said Martin. "You never expect that kind of news… so it hardly felt real at first."
Martin, a native of Champlin, Minn., was one of just 42 players chosen from across the country. The Talent ID Camp is part of U.S. Soccer's new strategy to identify and create opportunities for top collegiate soccer athletes across the NCAA.
After a standout season as Minnesota's starting goalkeeper, the opportunity was one Martin knew she had to embrace - both to develop her game and to soak in an elite environment.
"We discussed the current state of women's soccer in the world, and they gave us a glimpse into what U.S. Soccer is doing to stay on the cutting edge of the female game," Martin said. "I was blown away by how intentional the conversation was, and how much they wanted to hear about our experiences as this generation of female soccer players."
Held in Atlanta, Ga., at the new U.S. Soccer training facility, the camp brought Martin face-to-face with top talent - both players and coaches.
"I had the fantastic opportunity to work with U.S. Women's National Team Goalkeeper Coach Stuart Searle and walked away with several new insights into goalkeeping," Martin shared. "The training environment was designed to closely mimic the in-game demands of our position. We didn't get a ton of reps, so each one had to count. That focus is something I've really taken with me. In games, you might only have a few key moments, but they matter the most."
Martin credits her ability to rise to the challenge to her experience at Minnesota under Coach Chastain, her teammates, and Minnesota's competitive environment.
"I wasn't sure what to expect. But once our first session started, I realized - this is just goalkeeping. I do this every day," she said. "I trusted my preparation because of the level we train at here. The mental toughness our environment builds helped me bounce back from mistakes and enjoy the camp experience."
After playing a crucial role in one of the most successful Gopher soccer seasons in program history, Martin is ready to carry that momentum into her redshirt sophomore year.
"I'm looking forward to building off our success from 2024 and facing some of the fantastic opponents ahead," said Martin. "We have such a new, fun group, and I'm so pumped to see how we come together on the field."
As she continues her journey with Minnesota, Martin brings with her the lessons, confidence and inspiration gained from the U.S. Soccer Talent ID Camp. Now, with her focus set on this coming season, she's helping build the future of Gopher soccer.
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