High Point's Marthina Aguirre Called Up to Ecuadorian National Team
HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Each time Marthina Aguirre laces up her boots for the Ecuadorian Women's National Football Team, it feels as impactful as the first time.
Playing for her country since she was 14 years old, the High Point University senior midfielder is set to play again for La Tri Ecuador in a pair of friendly matches versus Peru on Friday, Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 31 in Quito, Ecuador at 12 p.m. (ET).
"It's just an amazing feeling to be able to wear my country's colors and represent it abroad, while I'm doing what I'm so passionate about," Aguirre said. "I'm always so thankful whenever I get the opportunity to do it with other women that share this same passion. My family's support and love has been my main engine to achieve and work hard through all these during so many years. They mean so much to me.
"Also, I'm really thankful with all my coaches, staff and teammates of HPU for supporting me and wishing me all the best. My professors and friends have always been so important in helping me achieve big things on and off the field."
Aguirre has had quite the experience with the Ecuadorian National Team. Her first appearance as a teenager with the U-17 team was in the South American Tournament, where Aguirre remembers being so happy to live out her dreams and represent more than herself.
Those experiences blossomed as she helped the team win friendly championships in tournaments played in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. She won bronze in the ODESUR Games (2018) in Bolivia U-23 and played in four South American World Cup Qualifiers in three different categories (U-17-U20 and Senior).
Individually, she was one of the top-10 best goal scorers in the 2022 Copa America played in Colombia, which is the senior World Cup qualifier for South America. In the same tournament, she was named top-3 Most Influential Players for Ecuador.
"We are so happy for Marthina to receive another call up for the Ecuadorian National Team," HPU Women's Soccer Head Coach Aaron McGuiness said. "It's well-deserved and we wish her and the team the best over these two matches."
Aguirre will vie for yet another championship in Quito before flying back to the United States to rejoin her team as the Panthers begin the Big South Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 2 versus USC Upstate at 7 p.m.
She is proud to have the opportunity to represent her nationality, while donning the Purple & White with a chance to capture the Panthers' 13th Big South Conference championship in her final season.
"I feel so blessed to be able to play for Ecuador and for HPU," Aguirre said. "I am lucky to have two soccer families that help me to grow alongside amazing people. I know there comes a lot of pressure and responsibilities with the fact whenever I'm representing each institution, but the feelings of happiness and gratefulness are bigger than any pressure and that allows me to enjoy and give my best for everyone around me."