Adelphi University Athletics

Laura Martin, a midfielder on the Adelphi women’s soccer team, arrived on campus in 1993. Despite a rocky start to her collegiate career, Laura went on to become a two-time All-American and one of the women’s soccer team’s most decorated players.

Martin had to redshirt her freshman year due to a knee injury and ACL reconstruction. She then lost her second year due to a torn ACL in the other knee. However, after extensive rehabilitation with the assistance of the Adelphi athletic training staff, Martin was able to complete her last three seasons injury free.

In her first full season, she earned First Team All-NYCAC honors and was the third-leading scorer for the Panthers. As a sophomore, she was named NYCAC Player of the Year and a First Team All-Northeast selection after leading the Panthers with 15 goals and 32 points, helping the team to an NCAA berth. In 1996, she became the fourth Adelphi player to earn All-America honors as a first-team selection. In 997, as a senior and captain, she guided the Panthers to their most successful season in school history. Adelphi climbed as high as No. 3 in the national rankings and set a school record with 18 victories, a mark which stood for eight years. She was second on the team in scoring with 17 goals and 45 points and led the Panthers to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. She was again recognized as both a first team All-American and first team All-Northeast Region selection.

She graduated in 1997 with a B.S. in physical education. Her name is scattered throughout the Adelphi record books and she ranked fourth in career assists and in the top 10 in single season goals, assists and points at the time of her induction.