Recent Central Valley High School grad Abigail Martinez weighed her options prior to deciding to become a Warrior.

Martinez will be the first person in her family to attend college when she begins her freshman year at Stanislaus State this fall.

“Being able to stay close to home, the people around me will be able to come support me and watch me grow as a player,” she said.

Martinez turned down a partial soccer scholarship from Sonoma State to continue her athletic career at Stanislaus State.

She stopped by the campus in Turlock on June 3 for a uniform fitting.

“I’ve played soccer my whole life,” she said. “This is what I trained for.”

The Warriors posted an 8-7-3 record and tied for sixth place with Cal State Monterey Bay in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (4-6-2) last fall.

“I’m capable of playing at that level,” she said “I just hope I can make a big impact on the team. I’m going to keep working hard.”

Martinez will reunite with fellow 2019 Central Valley grad Jocelyn Lopez at Stanislaus State.

Lopez was voted Most Valuable Player of the Central California Conference this past winter.

Martinez and Lopez have played soccer together for six years, including four seasons in high school and two with the Ceres Earthquakes FC National Premier Club.

“It’s a big honor to keep playing with Jocelyn,” she said. “I’m really thrilled about that. We’re really good friends. We have a great connection.”

Martinez earned six varsity letters at Central Valley, including four in girls soccer.

She was named CCC Defensive Player of the Year during her final season with the Hawks.

Martinez anchored Central Valley’s defense, which surrendered just eight goals in 12 league games.

She chipped in on offense as well with six goals and three assists.

Martinez garnered first-team, all-Western Athletic Conference recognition her junior and sophomore years.

She was a second-team pick as a freshman.

“I’ve been playing soccer since I was six,” she said. “It’s the one thing I’ve been passionate about my whole life. My dad (Adelardo) played a big role in me playing soccer. He always encouraged me. He had faith in me.”

A four-year starter, Martinez helped lead Central Valley to 77 victories, one section finals appearance, four conference titles and four playoff berths.

The Hawks amassed a 17-7-2 overall record and won their fourth straight league championship during the 2018-19 campaign. Central Valley claimed the CCC crown with a 10-0-2 mark.

“We kept making history,” she said.

Martinez was the recipient of Central Valley’s CCC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year award this spring.

She had a cumulative GPA of 3.6.

Martinez will major in nursing at Stanislaus State.

“I always envisioned going to college,” she said. “Even though it wasn’t for my five older siblings, I knew it was going to be for me.”