Sophomore Alex Martinez is the leading scorer on the High Point University men's soccer team with 10 goals this season, including two game-winners. Martinez saved the best for last though, notching an overtime goal in the regular season finale to lift HPU to a 3-2 win over VMI.

Martinez tallied his 10th goal of the season in the 99th minute of play at VMI on Saturday, beating the Keydet goalie to the far post.

“I can't really take credit for the goal, my team did the work getting the ball up field and playing it to me perfectly,” Martinez said. “I knew it was a tough angle to shoot from but as soon as I got the shot off I had a feeling it was going in. The goalie wasn't in a great position.”

The win lifted HPU to 8-9-2 overall and 4-4-1 in Big South play to finish the regular season and secured the No. 6 seed in the Big South Tournament. Martinez has been a major contributor all season for the Panthers, adding two assists to his 10 goals. His success comes after what he said was a tough first season at High Point.

“My freshman year was hard,” Martinez said. “It was the toughest time in my soccer career. I wasn't as fit as I could have been and my biggest problem was confidence. This year I am in much better shape and have a lot more confidence. It has meant better things on the field.”

Martinez credits his older brother, Enzo, for helping him through the tough season. Enzo is a junior on the North Carolina men's soccer team and also struggled in his rookie season.

“He just told me not to worry about the mistakes too much but to learn from them. I worked on a lot of little things. He really helped me get better.”

Martinez said he is very close with his brother but also with his parents and older sister and since they live in Rock Hill, S.C. they are able to see both brothers play. The Martinez family moved to the United States from Uruguay when Alex was nine years old.

“My Dad couldn't find a job in Uruguay so he moved here first and for three months he worked three jobs to be able to bring me, my mom and brother and sister. We didn't speak any English and it was really hard at first. It took me about a year and a half to really feel comfortable with my English.”

Martinez said he owes much of his success in both soccer and school to teachers and coaches who have become extended family over the years.

“My brother and I both had great club coaches who helped us with the college recruiting process and brought us on our visits. We couldn't have done it without him. I also had a third-grade teacher who really taught me English. She spent a lot of extra time with me and I stayed close with over the years. She has come to High Point to watch games and seen us on the road a few times. My success comes from the people willing to help me and my family.”