January 14, 2025 | Soccer
STARKVILLE โ Aitana Martinez-Montoya has become the third member of Mississippi State's 2024 SEC Championship soccer team to sign a professional contract. The forward from Madrid, Spain, is returning to Europe to play for Racing Power FC in neighboring Portugal.
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Racing Power competes in Liga BPI, the highest division in Portugal. The squad currently sits in the middle of the table in sixth place.
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Martinez-Montoya was a Third Team All-SEC selection this fall after scoring seven goals and totaling 19 points, both of which were second on the team. She added two game-winning goals, including a highlight-reel sliding strike to end the match in overtime against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament. The forward's five assists were also second on the team.
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"Aitana came to us two years ago and had stressed her desire to play professionally after she graduated," Bulldog head coach Nick Zimmerman said. "She trusted us in providing her a pathway to learn and develop. This is an incredible opportunity for her, and we are excited for her next steps. She has left the program in a better place, and I look forward to her continued success."
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Martinez-Montoya tallied 13 goals in her Bulldog career and 21 while playing for Farleigh-Dickinson prior to arriving in Starkville. In 85 career collegiate matches, she registered 79 career points.
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"Aitana represents the values โโand vision that we want to consolidate at Racing Power: talent, effort and passion," team president Nuno Painço said. "We are certain that her incorporation will be essential to reinforce our squad and achieve our objectives."
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Martinez-Montoya is the third member of Mississippi State's 2024 SEC Championship squad to sign a professional contract. Macey Hodge signed with Angel City FC in the NWSL in December, and Rylie Combs signed with Eskilstuna United in Sweden earlier this month.
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For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, follow onย Twitter,ย Facebookย andย Instagramย by searching "HailStateSOC."
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Racing Power competes in Liga BPI, the highest division in Portugal. The squad currently sits in the middle of the table in sixth place.
ย
Martinez-Montoya was a Third Team All-SEC selection this fall after scoring seven goals and totaling 19 points, both of which were second on the team. She added two game-winning goals, including a highlight-reel sliding strike to end the match in overtime against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament. The forward's five assists were also second on the team.
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"Aitana came to us two years ago and had stressed her desire to play professionally after she graduated," Bulldog head coach Nick Zimmerman said. "She trusted us in providing her a pathway to learn and develop. This is an incredible opportunity for her, and we are excited for her next steps. She has left the program in a better place, and I look forward to her continued success."
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Martinez-Montoya tallied 13 goals in her Bulldog career and 21 while playing for Farleigh-Dickinson prior to arriving in Starkville. In 85 career collegiate matches, she registered 79 career points.
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"Aitana represents the values โโand vision that we want to consolidate at Racing Power: talent, effort and passion," team president Nuno Painço said. "We are certain that her incorporation will be essential to reinforce our squad and achieve our objectives."
ย
Martinez-Montoya is the third member of Mississippi State's 2024 SEC Championship squad to sign a professional contract. Macey Hodge signed with Angel City FC in the NWSL in December, and Rylie Combs signed with Eskilstuna United in Sweden earlier this month.
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For more information on the Bulldog soccer program, follow onย Twitter,ย Facebookย andย Instagramย by searching "HailStateSOC."
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Players Mentioned
Sunday, November 01
Sunday, November 01
Thursday, October 15
Friday, October 09