Playing soccer is just one of the many things sophomore Martina Pettenuzzo is good at.
The versatile, well-rounded midfielder has played numerous sports including basketball, volleyball and softball. Even with the interest in many different sports, soccer has always been her favorite game.
Pettenuzzo has been playing soccer ever since she was three years old. Her entire family has an athletic background, including her mother and father, who are both physical education teachers.
Soccer was the sport Pettenuzzo was best at and enjoyed the most. The highlight of her career came last season when she was named co-rookie of the year with now-sophomore midfielder Lindsey Bailey. Pettenuzzo led the Bulls with a .750 shot-on-goal percentage.
Pettenuzzo is a product of Prospect High School, located about 15 to 20 minutes outside of Chicago. She chose to attend Buffalo because it was far enough away from home, but not too far away as to make it impossible to get back home.
She also wanted to play in the Mid-American Conference. The facilities and programs at Buffalo also played a part in Pettenuzzo's migration to New York.
"Buffalo's facilities are probably one of the nicer ones in the MAC," she said. "As a business major, the school was perfect for my major. It was a perfect fit for me."
When reflecting on inspirations, Pettenuzzo said her favorite athlete was her dad. She also said that he is her biggest influence.
The sophomore's father was a college athlete and had to go through a lot of the same routines that Pettenuzzo is experiencing. He also played professional football for the Chicago Blitz of the USFL as well as the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.
"I grew up watching football. Every Friday night, my dad would coach his football team. He coached for 17 years." Pettenuzzo said.
Pettenuzzo's father displayed strength and courage on a much higher level when he battled and survived cancer. That dedication has also made him someone Pettenuzzo looks to when it comes for inspiration.
Pettenuzzo feels that she brings that toughness on the field as well as a few precautions because she is superstitious. She duct-tapes the back of her shoes and also wears three hair ties in her hair, something she has done since she was a freshman in high school. Pettenuzzo also has to chew gum when she plays to help focus.
Even with all the superstitions helping her focus, Pettenuzzo still goes into every game with the same excitement.
"I get butterflies in my stomach," she said. "I'm not too nervous, just mainly focused."
The butterflies settle after some playing time. She tells herself to relax and reminds herself why she is playing; to go out and have fun.
Pettenuzzo likes to do a variety of things when she gets time to herself. When she's near a TV, she'll put on Top Chef, her favorite show. She loves to eat Italian food and butter pecan ice cream.
Pettenuzzo traveled from just outside of Chicago to give the Bulls a great boost. Whether she is on or off the field, Pettenuzzo hopes to open the eyes of everyone who goes through her path.
