Enzo Martinez learns to share spotlight with other UNC men's soccer leaders

Enzo Martinez knows how to score the game-winning goal.

He knows how to lead the North Carolina men’s soccer team in scoring, and he knows how to attack the ball to bring about an equalizer with the game on the line.

But he isn’t used to sharing the spotlight. And in Tuesday’s 4-1 win against James Madison, that’s exactly what Martinez did.

With scoring threat Rob Lovejoy emerging and redshirt junior Billy Schuler returning to the field after injury, Martinez is humbly learning to adjust and welcoming his fellow leaders with open arms.

“It’s a lot different this year,” Martinez said. “I’m still able to get up and score goals, but it truly doesn’t matter who scores. If I make the right decisions, the goals will come.”

Last year, Martinez led the Tar Heels in five of six statistical categories, coming in second in the sixth.

With 10 goals last season — double that of second-place scorers Michael Farfan and Kirk Urso — Martinez carved out his legacy at UNC. He registered 70 shots, 25 points, 29 shots on goal and five game-winning goals in the 2010 season.

This fall, with more than one go-to guy, the Tar Heels and the junior midfielder are tweaking their style of play. Martinez, who had just five assists last season, has already registered four in UNC’s first five games.

“We are all capable of scoring,” Urso said. “I think one of our strengths is being able to understand that. If I don’t have a good shot and someone else does, I’m just going to play it off to that guy because I know he can put it in.”

The entire UNC team, including bench players, is stepping up all over the field, assistant coach Jeff Negalha said.

“When you have other guys that provide that leadership quality, I think it just helps out in a lot of ways,” Negalha said. “Even the guys who aren’t clocking a lot of minutes are contributing in a big fashion.”

In Tuesday’s match against James Madison, Martinez notched two goals and one assist, allowing Schuler a goal of his own.

In the second half, Schuler sent a through ball from Martinez in the box to beat JMU’s keeper from 10 yards out.

“When you have players like Ben (Speas), Robbie (Lovejoy) and Billy (Schuler) up top, you know what they’re going to do,” Martinez said. “If you play them the right ball, they’re going to put it in the back of the net.”

Even though he has to now share the glory, Martinez has proven he has adjusted to a team with multiple-scoring options.

“Making smart decisions helps our group a lot,” Negalha said. “Not only with Enzo, but I think any time you have players of Billy and Robbie’s quality, it’s a great option to have for scoring.”

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