Shaker’s Martuscello commits to Manhattan College
LATHAM, NY » Olivia Martuscello, a key player in Shaker’s undefeated 2020 season, has committed to play Division 1 soccer at Manhattan College next summer.
“Olivia has been a three-year all- star and has been a solid leader on the team,” said Shaker head coachMichael Brehm. “Ifwe need a goal, she can go get one. She plays defense and I think Manhattan has a really solid, hard-working player coming their way.”
When the coronavirus first struck, Martuscello had been planning on attending a big recruiting event, which ended up getting cancelled. Being in the same positions as senior soccer players across the country, she put together a highlight film hoped that she’d find the right fit through an ever changing recruiting process.
“The Manhattan coach is super outgoing and I really like the
way that he builds up the team. He’s very team- oriented and everyone really gets along. Everyone has such positive things to say and I know I’m going to be joining a great team with a great coach,” Martuscello said.
She will be joining the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for the next four years, while working to attain a degree in business from the college in Riverdale. Being in New York City became extremely appealing as her college search went on and the future beyond college started to become part of the conversation.
“As I started to seemore city schools, I really began to enjoy where Manhattan was. It’s not directly in the city, but the location caught my eye and the coach definitely was one of the main reasons why I chose the school,” Martuscello said. “When I was choosing a college, I thought a lot about the future because I’m going to major in business. All of the internships that I’m hopefully going to get will be in the city. That will be a great stay forward and is one of the main reasons I chose a school in the city.”
Even though the Shaker senior isn’t quite sure what she wants to do with the rest of her life beyond college, she knows that she’s on the right path. When it comes to being ready to play soccer at the next level, the credit belongs to the Shaker soccer program.
“Coach Brehm definitely prepared me for college, conditioning wise and mentally. He’d have us run like there was no tomorrow. I’m definitely in the best shape of my life. I know what it feels like to be in shape and what it feels like not to be, so I think I’m definitely prepared to compete in college.”
There were a lot of lessons that came this season. Even though there were no state playoffs, no sectionals and no Suburban Council championship game, there was still a season full of moments to remember.
It was having two unexpected teammates step up during an unexpected moment that Martuscello will remember most from this season.
“I’m always going to always remember the two girls, Lauren McCulloch and Lauren Foglia, who stepped up in the playoffs to play goalie. It was their first time ever playing the position and they had to step in since our goalkeeper wasn’t allowed to play. It was a great feeling just from their sportsmanship and how well they were able to play. It was amazing that they were able to do it. I genuinely believe that we were able to compete to our full ability because of them. They stepped in and really showed how much they cared about the team.”
Even though the Blue Bison didn’t get the opportunity to prove who the best team in the Suburban Council was, there was a lesson that was reiterated throughout the entire season, all the way until the end.
“During practice Coach Brehm always taught us to do our best and to keep playing nomatter what the circumstances were, especially this season since you don’t know what the last time you’ll get to play is. I think he really tried to show us what it’s going to be like playing at the next level and I know I’m ready.”
“When we did become co- champs with Shen, I was happy with how everything turned out, given the circumstances, we’re both great teams, but it would have been a great game to be able to play in.”
Soon enough, fans will be able to attend sporting events again and the Shaker senior will find her way back home. She’ll essentially be playing a soccer game in her backyard when Manhattan comes up north to play Siena in MAAC competition. She’ll have some familiar faces in the crowd.
“We’ll all go to that, we’re excited,” Brehm said.