Women's Soccer | 11/6/2026 10:00:00 AM
Sofia Sanzo just wrapped up her senior season as a member of the Russell Sage women's soccer team. Sanzo, a forward, has started 26 games for the Gators. She has six total goals and three assists for 15 career points. She is a two-time Empire 8 Presidents' List recipient.
What Drives Me - Sofia Sanzo
Hometown/High School: Niskayuna, NY/Colonie
Class Year: Senior
Insitution: Russell Sage
Sport: Women's Soccer
Major: Business Administration Pre-Law Track
GPA: 4.0
What is your most memorable collegiate athletics moment?
My most memorable collegiate athletics moment was beating Houghton during my sophomore year. What made it so memorable was that it felt like a true team win. Everyone was playing for each other, and you could feel how close we were as a team. It reminds me that the best part of college athletics is not just winning games, but the bond you share with your teammates.
What motivates you to keep pushing yourself as an athlete?
What motivates me to continue pushing myself as an athlete is my love for the game and knowing that nothing is guaranteed in soccer. I have had multiple surgeries that have caused me to miss seasons. Every day that I get to step on the field is a blessing, and I never want to take that opportunity for granted. I also want to be the person I can be on and off the field for my teammates and that alone motivates me every single day.
What gets you excited to show up to practice every day?
What gets me excited to show up to practice every day is getting to play the game I love with my teammates. There is something to be cherished about getting to be able to come together every day and compete against each other but working toward a common goal at the same time.
When you're having a difficult day, what keeps you going?
When I'm having a difficult day, my family keeps me going.
What makes all the time and effort you put into your sport worth it?
Being successful with my team makes all the time and effort I put into soccer so worth it. I am someone who preaches about hard work, resilience, discipline and being able to see those values translate onto the field is incredibly rewarding.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success means being able to look back and know that I gave everything I possibly could, not only for myself, but for my team. Soccer is so much nore than wins and losses. It is about the process that's involved with winning and the reponse when things get difficult. As an athlete, success means holding myself and my team accountable and helping the people around me become better. At the end of the day, when my soccer career is over, I will feel successful if I know that I made the most of every single opportunity given to me and contributed to something bigger than myself.
What is your favorite aspect of being a student-athlete/favorite most rewarding aspect of college life?
My favorite aspect of being a student-athlete is the process. I loe the work that goes into becoming a better player, teammate and person. I thrive when it is time to show up on the hard days, I stay disciplined and trust that the little things will add up. My collegiate career has taught me to appreciate the journey as much as the result because adversity is what makes success so rewarding.
My most rewarding aspect of college life so far has been the personal growth I have made and the relationships I have gained along the way. College has challenged me in so many ways academically and athletically. The friendships that I have made will last me a lifetime and the experiences and challenges have shaped me into who I am today.
Career goals after college?
After undergrad, I plan to attend law school to work toward becoming a corportate lawyer.
Empire 8 Quick Hits
Pregame ritual: Wearing two braids in my hair and dancing in the locker room with my teammates
Song that gets you hyped before a game: Over - Drake
Favorite sports movie (or movie in general): The Notebook
Favorite professional athlete: Trinity Rodman - Washington Spirit and Team USA Forward
Favorite professional sports team: US Women's National Team or Green Bay Packers
Favorite meal: Anything my mom cooks
Biggest sport "ick" or pet peeve: Shin guards showing
What is your most unpopular opinion about your sport: Offsides shouldn't exist
Guilty pleasure: Stewart's Cookie Dough Ice Cream