CALDWELL, N.J. -- Caldwell University 2025 graduate Melissa Martinez (Elizabeth, N.J.) has signed a professional soccer contract to play with Danish side Næstved HG. The Second Team All-CACC performer is on her way overseas to join the team this week for preseason.

Martinez totalled 14 goals and 10 assists for 38 points in her two years in Red and White. In 2024, she ranked fifth in the CACC in goals (nine), third in assists (seven) and fourth in points (25),  including nine goals and seven assists in 2024, including markers in three straight late-season contests that helped the Cougars to a 12-5-2 record, their best in more than a decade, and No. 2 seed in the CACC Tournament.

"I am very proud of Mel for this accomplishment,." said Caldwell Head Coach Sammy Adjei. "We have created a culture within our team that has prepared her very well for the next step in her career on and off the field. Our CU Women's Soccer family wishes her the best."

Melissa took a few minutes to talk to CaldwellAthletics.com as she prepared for the journey.

CaldwellAthletics.com: Congratulations on signing to play professionally! How did the opportunity with Næstved come about?

Melissa Martinez: Thank you so much! I had knowledge of coach Sammy [Adjei] playing on Næstved's men's team back in the day and he told me at the end of my first season at Caldwell that he would want to bring me and a couple players over to Denmark in the summer after this season that just passed. So I just reached out to him again after last season [and let him know] that I was still interested and would love the opportunity to go pro, so he made that trip happen.

CU: What are some lessons from your time at Caldwell University that you take with you overseas?

MM: Some lessons that I learned at Caldwell that I will take with me overseas and forever in life is that hard work definitely pays off. Being selfless on and off the field is also something that was ingrained into me and it is very important because soccer is more than just yourself. Being close to my teammates was definitely something crucial too when it came to playing well together as a team, so it's important to have a sort of sisterhood with your teammates. In the end, you always have to think to yourself that there's no one better than you and to be confident in your abilities but also never stop wanting to improve. 

CU: At what point in your soccer playing career did you think you'd have a chance to play pro?

MM: It has always been a dream of mine to become a pro soccer player. I think most soccer athletes that start at a young age always have that dream in the back of their heads. Anytime someone would ask me what I want to do in life, I always said 'be a professional soccer player.' It wasn't until coach Sammy presented me with the opportunity of trying out for Næstved HG that I thought wow this might actually be a possibility; that once 'far fetched' dream became a reality. 

CU: Which players, if any, did you look up to as role models as a young player, and are there any you look up to today?

MM: From the moment I started playing when I was 5 years old, I've always looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo. Growing up Portuguese, of course that might be a little biased. But his discipline, talent, hard work, desire to help others, statistics, accomplishments and much more are like no other. He is still the soccer player I look up to, even at 40 years old and that will never change. He's a huge role model of mine and I aspire to be like him in many ways.