When Maya Montemayor (‘26) steps onto the soccer field, confidence rules her game. Whether she’s driving the ball down the pitch or encouraging her teammates to give their all, her impact leaves a mark. During her career at South, Montemayor has bloomed into a talented freshman to a senior leader for the team with her skill, dedication and passion.
Montemayor has earned many honors, including All-CVC and All-State recognition, selection to the Mercer 33, and being named team MVP. As a junior, she was listed among the Top 20 players in the Central Jersey Region by the New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Association.
Her growth on the field has been impressive. In her first two seasons at South, Montemayor stated that she scored 10 goals and 9 assists, which are standout stats for an underclassman. During her junior year, she had a breakthrough season, scoring 15 goals and recording 6 assists to help the Pirates reach the CVC tournament semifinals.
Maya’s love for soccer started long before high school. She began playing when she was just three years old when her parents enrolled her in a recreational league. “From there, I grew passionate about the game and quickly wanted to do more with it,” she said. “That led me to start playing travel soccer at a young age, where I worked hard, improved and developed a real love for the sport that has kept me playing ever since.”
For Montemayor, soccer has always been more than just a sport. “When I’m on the field, I feel like I don’t have to worry about anything else,” she said. “It feels like home, a place where I belong. Playing makes me happy because I get to do what I love.”
“Since Maya stepped onto the pitch freshman year, we knew she was special,” said head varsity coach Elisa Mastroianni. “Maya plays with such composure, she always appears calm and cool, no matter the situation.”
Coach Mastroianni said, “Maya’s shooting ability is what really stands out.She has the strongest shot I’ve ever seen as a coach, and she’s a great free-kick taker.”
“Maya always puts 110% into everything she does,” said Coach Mastroianni. “She understands that we play how we practice, and she makes sure everyone holds themselves to a high standard.”
Montemayor’s leadership defines her. Teammate Lilli Antolino (‘27). “She’s like a commander, she always keeps us organized.”
Balancing soccer with academics isn’t easy, but Montemayor has mastered it. “I plan out my day ahead of time so I can manage my time wisely,” she said. “I try to stay organized and avoid procrastination, because keeping on top of things makes it easier to balance both school and sports without feeling overwhelmed.”
Now in her final season at South, Montemayor brings energy, focus, and a sense of unity that will stay with the soccer program even after she graduates. Through her dedication and leadership, Montemayor has shown what it means to inspire others, both on and off the field.
