CORVALLIS, Ore. >> Her confidence shaken from the sting of facing a barrage of shots on goal during her senior season in high school, thoughts of giving up soccer swirled through Samantha Martinez’s mind.

Never mind that the netminder saved 238 shots over 18 matches, or she was named the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Cypress Division Defensive Player of the Year on a winless team in 2023. Martinez was also working before school at 5 a.m. to help with finances.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to pursue soccer,” the former Hartnell College goalie said. “I wasn’t confident in myself. I was so used to being scored upon in high school.”

Being convinced by former Hartnell women’s soccer coach and current athletic director Ivan Guerrero to not give up on herself was a career-changing decision.

Not only did one season at Hartnell restore her confidence in an All-America campaign, but it landed Martinez a scholarship to Oregon State.

The sophomore, who expected to be returning for her second season at Hartnell this fall, arrived in Corvallis this week to begin training.

“I didn’t see this coming,” said Martinez, who is one of four goalies on the Beavers’ roster. “This was so unexpected. I kind of had to make up my mind really fast.”

Martinez reshaped her career between the pipes last fall for Hartnell, allowing just two goals in 12 conference matches, posting 10 shutouts for the Coast Conference champions.

“I struggled my first few weeks at Hartnell to find that confidence,” Martinez said. “I had trauma from my senior year. My coaches were real supportive. I slowly started to regain my confidence.”

Over the course of 23 matches, including a pair of playoff games, the St. Francis of Watsonville graduate allowed an average of 0.6 goals on the season.

“I came here with the thought of playing two years,” Martinez said. “I loved my first season at Hartnell. This all happened so fast. I didn’t even have time to visit the campus.”

Instead, Martinez took a virtual tour online after talking to the coaches at Oregon State, who had contacted Guerrero about their interest in his goalie.

“To get recruited by a Power 4 Conference from a JC is so hard,” Guerrero said. “I knew she was a diamond in the rough. Part of my job is to create a platform for our athletes.”

Having never been to Oregon until the Fourth of July weekend, Martinez stayed open-minded about the opportunity in front of her, getting full support from her parents.

“When I first talked to my parents, they said you’ll love it there,” Martinez said. “They were sad when they dropped me off on Monday. But they left me in a good place.”

For someone who spent last season working a 5 a.m. job before coming to practices, the 18-year-old is not afraid of sacrifices, embracing the challenges that await.

Captain practices (no coaches) in July at Oregon State are divided into three sessions, with the first being a 6 a.m. workout that includes speed work and weight training.

“What the coaches told me was confirmed when I met the girls,” Martinez said. “I’m grateful for the support I’ve received.”

Martinez will start the year playing behind a senior goalie, with two others in competition for a role on the Beavers, who remain in the Pac 12.

“I just have to keep competing and working,” Martinez said. “It’s a big jump. I’m going to work my butt off and keep establishing myself and improving. I’m open-minded to learning. Right now I’m competing for a spot.”

In conversations with the coaching staff, Martinez got a good and honest vibe about what they liked about her and what they see in her going forward.

“Coach said most of my saves were secure,” Martinez said. “And footwork is really important to them. Coach liked how I was able to play with my backline.”

One of the things Guerrero conveyed to Martinez on her arrival to Hartnell last fall was to enjoy the competitive nature of the sport and relish the moment of getting to still play a game.

“Soccer is a child’s game,” Guerrero said. “A goalkeeper’s mistake gets magnified 100 times more on the field. At the end of the day, remember how hard you work. We do this because we like to compete.”

The 5-foot-7 Martinez was a highlight reel when called upon last season for the Panthers, who at one point were ranked No. 10 in the nation.

“They expect her to make an immediate impact and compete for a job,” Guerrero said. “Sammy is very technical. She’s not just a goalie. She’s a soccer player. Don’t be surprised if she gets on the field this year.”

As the season progressed, Martinez delivered game-changing saves, including a pair in overtime in a win over Consumes River in the playoffs.

“I made back-to-back saves in the first overtime,” said Martinez, who collected five straight shutouts at one point, finishing with 15 on the season. “At that point, I said I know what I’m doing.”