Jillian Martinez set for big impact with the athenians in 2022

Published by San Antonio Athenians SC Communications

SAN ANTONIO TX (May 18 2022) - San Antonio native Jillian Martinez returns to be a part of the Athenians’ roster in 2022. The James Madison High School graduate, former UCLA Bruin, and current Texas Tech Red Raider is set for a breakout UWS season after a stellar spring in Lubbock.

After 3 years representing the US at the U14-U16 levels and playing in the Austin area for Lonestar in the Development Academy, Jillian made the decision to prioritize representing her home city of San Antonio and playing in front of friends and family. She shattered local High School records in her lone season for the Madison Mavericks, scoring 39 goals and providing 9 assists en route to the school’s first district title since 2000. For her incredible exploits, she was named the 2019-2020 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Texas. Martinez suited up for JMHS alongside current Athenians Mia Wildeman and Sierra Wannamaker, who she will reunite with this summer.

Jillian spent two seasons at UCLA in one of the nation’s perennial contenders for conference and national championships. She made 10 total appearances for the Bruins, who were a combined 29-2-6 across 2020 and 2021, bringing home 2 PAC-12 titles to Los Angeles. Ahead of the Spring 2022 season, Martinez made the decision to return to her home state and play for coach Tom Stone at Texas Tech University. The Red Raiders were a perfect 6-0 in the spring and Martinez played a big role, scoring and assisting wearing her new black and red number 10 jersey.

With the announcement of Martinez, the core of the Athenians’ 2022 roster is now set. Technical Director Leland Hammonds believes in the quality up and down the roster as the team looks to defend the 2021 UWS Southwest Championship: “In this group we have the top players that have come out of San Antonio, and we’ve added professional prospects from across the country and across the world. At this point I just can’t wait to see them put it all together on the field this weekend.”

The San Antonio Athenians Soccer Club (SAASC) was created in 2016 and played its inaugural soccer season in 2017. SAASC is the first women’s semi-pro soccer team in San Antonio and features top players from the San Antonio area and beyond, including amateurs, collegiate, semi-pro and former professional players. After a change in ownership and a move to Soccer Central (6610 Low Bid Lane, San Antonio TX 78201), The Athenians lifted the first trophy in club history in 2021, defeating Lone Star Republic in the UWS Southwest Final 1-0.

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