BERLIN — After former Worcester Prep soccer standout Martin Sanchez accomplished just about everything a student-athlete could at the Berlin private school, he set his sights on the next challenge and ended up becoming a central figure in the resurgence of the Naval Academy soccer program for the last four years.
Sanchez is on the home stretch of an outstanding career at Navy, during which he has received many accolades. Recruited heavily out of Worcester, Sanchez had a choice of many of the top programs to continue his career, but chose a struggling Navy program at a time the team was in need of an injection of talent.
Sanchez started as a freshman at defense for Navy and made an immediate impact. He scored three goals in his first year, but his steady leadership on the defensive end of the field was invaluable for the Middies. In his first year, Navy had a winning record for the first time in five years, won the Patriot League tournament and qualified for the NCAA tournament. Sanchez that year was named to the Freshman All-American team as well as the NSCAA All-Region team.
Midway through his sophomore season, Sanchez was moved into the center midfield position and helped Navy reach the Patriot League semifinals. Sanchez missed much of his junior season with a high ankle sprain, but returned this year to lead the Middies back to the Patriot League championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament. After a shaky 1-3-2 start this year, Navy won 14 in a row.
Last week, the Middies beat Holy Cross, 2-0, in the Patriot League championship and earned a return trip to the NCAA tournament. Sanchez led the Middies in assists this season and was named to the All-Patriot League First Team and the All-Tournament team.