Coaches

Sarah Martinez

Loring Family Head Coach of Women's Soccer

sarah.martinez@yale.edu

203-432-1492

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Sarah Martinez was named the Loring Family Head Coach of Women's Soccer, on December 3, 2019, becoming the seventh head coach in Yale women's soccer history.

Martinez became the first coach in Yale women's soccer's history to win the Ivy League Coach of the Year honor in 2022. In just her second full season of competition as head coach, Martinez catapulted the Bulldogs from a tough 2021 to a comeback season in 2022. Yale went from last place in the Ivy League just a season ago to a third-place finish in the Ivy standings this season.

The 2022 squad broke the program record for consecutive shutouts (5) and tied a program record for shutouts in a season (9). The 2022 season saw the team post an undefeated record at home (7-0-1) where they allowed just one goal against at Reese Stadium. It was also the first time since 2011 that the Bulldogs recorded seven wins at home in a season.

She served as an assistant coach for the 2019 Bulldogs, who enjoyed their best season on the pitch in 14 years. Yale posted its most victories since 2005 with an 11-4-1 record and a 4-2-1 mark in Ivy League play. The Elis also boasted a 6-1-1 record at home in Reese Stadium.

The Bulldogs had six shutouts in 2019 and allowed only 14 goals in 16 games. In addition, the Bulldogs boasted the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year in midfielder Aerial Chavarin, who was one of six All-Ivy League performers that fall.

Martinez joined the Yale staff as an assistant coach in January of 2019 after three seasons in the same position at Stony Brook where she was recognized as part of the America East Coaching Staff of the Year in both 2016 and 2018.

During her tenure, she helped lead the Seawolves to three straight winning seasons and conference tournament appearances, a regular season championship, a conference tournament championship and a berth in the 2017 NCAA Tournament, the school's first NCAA appearance since 2012. 

Martinez played soccer at the University of Washington, where she led the Huskies to three NCAA Tournament appearances and was named team captain and Offensive Team MVP in her junior and senior seasons. She was named to the All-Pac 12 second team as a senior and twice won the University of Washington Athletic Department's Most Inspirational Female Athlete Award.

After her playing career, Martinez spent four seasons on the Huskies' coaching staff, serving as the Director of Soccer Operations for the men's and women's programs. 

Martinez graduated from the University of Washington in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, then earned a Master of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington in 2013.

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