Nealy Martin

Nealy Cameron Martin (born April 22, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Early life
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Martin began playing soccer from the age of three. She played recreational soccer in the Elite Club National League before joining club side Birmingham United. In 2015, she was part of the Oak Mountain High School side which won the Class 7A state championship game while only conceding a school record six goals throughout the season. Following her senior season, Martin was named as the Birmingham Girls Soccer Player of the Year and was the number 1 ranked prospect in the state of Alabama.

College soccer
Initially wanting to attend Auburn University, the alma mater of her parents, Martin was recruited by the University of Alabama to play college soccer with the Alabama Crimson Tide during her junior year. She made her debut for the Crimson Tide on August 18, 2016, against the Sam Houston State Bearkats, going on to play 19 games throughout her first collegiate season. She would go on to play a total of 76 matches during her four seasons with the Crimson Tide, scoring 5 goals, and earning the 2019 SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year award.

Club career
In February 2021, Martin began training with National Women's Soccer League club Racing Louisville during their pre-season camp. On April 5, 2021, Martin was signed by Racing Louisville. She made her professional debut for the club on April 10, 2021, in the NWSL Challenge Cup against the Orlando Pride. She appeared in 18 matches for the season, starting in 13.

Martin has notably served as an emergency goalkeeper, both at Alabama, where she saved a free kick from the edge of the box, and Gotham on multiple occasions when her team's goalkeeper was injured or sent off and the team had no more substitutions. She finished out extra time in the 2023 NWSL Championship Game that Gotham won as their goalkeeper.

Honors
NJ/NY Gotham FC Individual
 * NWSL Championship: 2023
 * 2019 SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year