North Carolina's leading scorer from 2000, Kristen McCann, used up her eligibility, and the team would lose midfielder Carrie Lingo and goalkeeper Amy Tran to the U.S. national field hockey team for seven games in September.
"I knew during the summer that I would have to take a real leadership role," Martin said. "I knew it was time to step up my game."
Step up her game on the offensive end of the field, that is.
Martin has been a defensive stalwart, playing sweeper, right back and in the midfield during her career, but this season, she is focusing on her scoring.
Judging from her performance this weekend against Penn State and Virginia Commonwealth, Martin is living up to those personal expectations.
Martin exploded for 10 points this weekend, posting four goals and two assists. She had two goals and one assist in each game, acting as a catalyst for the Tar Heels' offensive outburst.
In each of the two games Martin scored the first goal, as she did in UNC's first victory of the season against Connecticut.
"It's my job to get in there and put the ball away," Martin said.
Although Martin understands her role as a scorer, she doesn't try to force things on the field. Instead, she tries to let the game come to her, and things seem to come easier when playing on the familiar turf of Henry Field, Martin said.
