Adelina Martel, a standout defender from Eastwood High School in Edinburg, Texas, will trade her high school jersey for a Vaqueros uniform this fall. The 2026 graduate has spent more than a decade honing her craft on the pitch, amassing an impressive tally of 15 goals across her junior and senior seasons.
A 13‑Year Path to the Division I Stage
Martel’s commitment to UT‑Rio Grande Valley marks the culmination of a 13‑year soccer odyssey that began in local youth leagues and progressed through competitive club circuits. In her junior year, she helped steer the Troopers to the playoffs and finished with seven goals, while her senior campaign added eight more. Across her high school tenure she scored a total of 15 goals, a testament to her consistency and attacking prowess.
The Vaqueros, who compete in the Southland Conference, posted a 6‑10‑2 record in the most recent season, a performance that the coaching staff hopes to improve upon with the addition of Martel’s defensive solidity and experience. The program, anchored by its official website utrgv.edu, has been steadily building a reputation for developing talent that can compete at the national level.
Kaitlyn Duntley, Martel’s former teammate and now a second‑year player at UTEP, spoke highly of Martel’s dedication. “Her work ethic is unmatched,” Duntley said. “Seeing her grow from a promising freshman to a leader on the field has been inspiring. I’m excited to see what she brings to the next chapter.”
Martel’s move also underscores the growing pipeline of talent flowing from the Rio Grande Valley into Division I programs. As the region continues to invest in soccer infrastructure, players like Martel and Duntley exemplify the pathway from local fields to national competition.