Lehigh GK Will Smith Stays Hungry

November 1, 2019

By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications

Midway through his freshman season, Will Smith became the starting goalkeeper for the Lehigh men's soccer team.

It's a position he hasn't relinquished.

While it would have been easy to become complacent, Smith remained hungry. Three years later, he has put forth one of the most storied careers by a goalkeeper in program history.

"As a freshman, I had senior Jacob Gottwald ahead of me, who was a very good role model – both athletically and academically," said Smith. "Even though he was my competition, he was someone I could ask for help and guidance. Over time, I was able to earn my spot, which I felt was deserved because I had to earn it as a freshman competing with a senior.

"Once I earned that spot, I didn't want to let it go, but I also had to make sure I stayed on top of my academics. I tried to find a good balance and was forced to learn quickly to perform well in all areas."

Smith has gone on to do just that. His 23 career shutouts (following a 1-0 blanking of Rutgers) are good for second in program history and fifth in Patriot League history. Smith has also been named Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week nine times, a league record.

It was a magical night for senior goalkeeper Will Smith, who picked up his 2️⃣0️⃣th career shutout with a 1-0 win over Loyola. Smith is ranked second all-time in program history and slides into a tie for 6th in @PatriotLeague history. What a career, so much more to come! #GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/e4ube4eeYW
— x-Lehigh Men's Soccer (@LehighMSoccer) October 13, 2019

Most importantly, he has been an anchor for a team that has enjoyed success – playing in the Patriot League Tournament as a sophomore and junior, and already clinching a spot this season.

What has allowed Smith to succeed?

A strong mindset just as much as strong soccer skills.

"If I ever have a tough game or make a mistake, I try to bounce back the best way I can, beginning with working harder in the next practice," he said. "Working harder and bouncing back is easy to say, but hard to do."

Smith's growth mindset has allowed him to bounce back more easily than some.

"Will has always had a strong work ethic, not just during the season," said head coach Dean Koski. "He worked hard in the offseason, trained with professional goalkeepers in the summer and established training habits that have enabled him to maintain consistency, as well as growth. Will is also eager to learn and when introduced to any feedback that will help him improve, he absorbs it like a sponge immediately."

If Smith wasn't so open-minded to coaching, he may have given up his starting spot at some point along the way – especially with another strong goalkeeper in his class, Ian Marshall, serving as his backup.

But in the end, Smith played every minute except 158:55 over his sophomore and junior years. That's less than two games over two seasons.

Early in his Lehigh career, Smith weighed only 185 pounds.

"I entered tall, but not very strong," said Smith. "I'm now 215 pounds, which has been a steady progression through the help of my coaches and strength and conditioning staff.

"It's helped my soccer, being able to go up higher for crosses, picking them out of the air and not dropping them if someone runs into me," he continued. "I feel like I've become more athletically dominant in net, which is important as a goalkeeper."

Smith is more than a goalkeeper in the Lehigh men's soccer program. He is also a leader and co-captain, along with junior Stevo Bednarsky.

"My leadership has definitely gotten stronger," said Smith. "As a two-time captain in high school, it helped me gain a base understanding of what it means to be a captain. But coming in as a freshman in college, it can be overwhelming at times. Gradually, as you start to figure things out, you start to feel like you have more of a voice."

As every game and season has passed, Smith has gained confidence to display his voice. He's earned the right to lead by his performance on the field.

"I've been on the leadership council, who meets with (Director of Athletics Leadership Development) Julie Ammary and our coaches," said Smith. "That made me feel more included in the leadership role, and it's translated on the field."

The field is where Smith posted a 1.23 goals against average and 76.4 save percentage as a freshman, 1.26 GAA and 73.2 save percentage as a sophomore, and 0.81 GAA and 81.4 save percentage as a junior. His senior-year numbers are very similar to his junior campaign.

Increased confidence from strong play is one reason for Smith's development as a leader, but his confidence has also increased due to being empowered as a leader.

"Early in his development, Will had moments when he got rattled on a goal he felt he should have saved, or if he made the wrong decision," said Koski. "Now, he just moves on to the next opportunity or moment with confidence. Of course, being named captain by his teammates is a real measure of his leadership and how his teammates look up to him."

Smith's on-field play and more importantly, leadership, have been integral reasons why the Mountain Hawks have been legitimate Patriot League Championship contenders for much of Smith's time.

"I believe our overall team chemistry since I've been here has gotten increasingly better every year," he said. "This season, it's at its best possible."

The Mountain Hawks are also enjoying success because of a strong foundation that was built during preseason, and before.

"It's hard for freshmen to know exactly what to expect, but they came in fit and ready to go," said Smith. "The whole team was bought in from the start."

Smith is bought in to being his best self. A finance major with a strong GPA, he juggled multiple tasks this past summer, thanks to an internship in his area of interest – finance.

"I interned and played with the West Chester NPSL (National Premier Soccer League) team and also trained with the Bethlehem Steel of the USL (United Soccer League)," said Smith, who earlier this season was named a candidate for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award. "I interned with DT Investment Partners, focusing on efficiently allocating asset classes to a clients' given portfolio."

His role at DT Investment Partners opened his eyes to having a career in the investment management field.

"Investment management involves the taking of money and investing it through a variety of different methods in the hopes of realizing gains," he said.

While Smith will hope for large gains for his clients, he aspires for small numbers when looking at his opponents' goal totals on the scoreboard.

"Will has improved his decision making, mental durability and leadership the past four years," said Koski. "His shot stopping and technical habits were always good, but a Division I goalkeeper needs to make good decisions all the time and communicate those decisions clearly and timely."

In good times and bad, Smith has made strong decisions which has allowed him to remain steady in his role as the Mountain Hawks' last line of defense.

"Working hard will get me through tough times, and the help and support from the people around me," he said.

Smith and those around him are aspiring for big things in 2019.

"Considering this is probably my last year of soccer, I want to go out doing the best I possibly can," he said. "Our main goal is to win the Patriot League Championship. I'm sure a lot of people say that, but I believe if we play our best and we play as a unit, then we can do it.

"I don't care if I'm at the top of the leaderboard for the goalkeepers in the Patriot League, as long as we win as a team. I'm going to do my part and work as hard as I can."

That's what Smith has done on the soccer field, and in life.

"My parents instilled in me since day one that mediocre isn't okay," he said. "Always try and be the best at whatever you do."

Watch out. Will Smith remains hungry.