Brian Westerholt / Sports On Film
Away from the pitch, USF women's soccer goalkeeper Sydney Martinez unabashedly wears heels. It hardly matters that she stands 6-foot-1. She's proud of her sturdy frame. And it's a real problem for opponents.
When sizing up opportunities at the USF goal, their eyes usually get wide and they overcompensate, trying to find a sliver of an opening as Martinez uses her wingspan, athleticism and fearless nature to protect the Bulls.
"There just aren't many players like her in the country,'' USF coach Denise Schilte-Brown said. "There are some women with similar height and longer arms, but I wouldn't call them agile or even coordinated.