She was amazing for us this year in every way. She’s been amazing throughout her career and I think what sets her apart is her internal drive. I don’t know if I’ve ever coached someone who is more driven to be better in everything she does than Cass. – Lone Peak coach Heather Dahl
HIGHLAND — Since the award was first presented in 2007 it’s been rare for a goalkeeper to be named Ms. Soccer. Just as rare, however, is for a prep goalie to prove as dominant as Lone Peak’s Cassidy Smith, who becomes just the second 'keeper to receive the prestigious Deseret News Ms. Soccer award.
The numbers speak for themselves.
During 2014 the senior recorded 15 shutouts and only surrendered seven goals in 20 games. Her play, in large part, helped the Knights go undefeated throughout the regular season and advance to the 5A championship game, where they were upset by Davis.
“She was amazing for us this year in every way,” said Lone Peak coach Heather Dahl. “She’s been amazing throughout her career and I think what sets her apart is her internal drive. I don’t know if I’ve ever coached someone who is more driven to be better in everything she does than Cass.”
A big part of Smith’s drive stems from being born a triplet. Since they were 8 years old, Smith and triplet sisters Jessica and McCall have pushed each other when playing with or against one another.
“All three of us are really competitive, which has been great for all of us in our development,” Cassidy said. “Whenever one of my sisters would go to practice some or work out it would make me want to go out and join them because you never want to get behind. You want to keep up with whatever, and we’ve all been that way since we were young.”
It was at a young age, at the beginning of play in a recreational league, when Cassidy sealed her fate as a future goalie, with a little help from her sister McCall. At one of the first practices coaches randomly assigned each girl a position and tabbed McCall as a goalie.
“I remember just begging and begging her to switch positions with me,” Cassidy recalled. “Fortunately she did and that’s what sort of started it all for me.”
While most girls would seemingly prefer to play another position that would allow a lot of running around and scoring opportunities, Smith was drawn to the position for a specific reason.
“I think I just wanted the thrill of it because it always seemed like such an important position on the field to me growing up,” she said. “I wanted the challenge and I grew to love the position even more once I started playing it.”
According to her high school coach, Smith proved to be a natural at the position almost immediately due to her exceptional athleticism and drive, among other factors.
“To be a good goalie you need some slight craziness — you need to be fearless in the goal — and Cass has that,” Dahl said. “You need to be continually positive playing behind the entire team because you’re the leader yelling commands positively, and Cass does all that extremely well.”
Dahl became aware of Smith's upside almost immediately, but it took a bit longer than anticipated before the 'keeper could start realizing it at the prep level.
Prior to her sophomore year, Smith had to undergo surgery on her knee, forcing her to miss the entire season and undergo some arduous rehab — physically and mentally.
“When she came back she was frustrated because she thought her timing was off,” Dahl said. “To a goalkeeper that’s kind of their bread and butter in certain situations. But I knew because of her great traits that it would come back, and come back quickly.”
Dahl proved to be right on the money.
Smith performed very well as a junior, and recorded nine shutouts, including five straight late in the season and into the first round of the playoffs.
“I was nervous starting out, but Coach Dahl helped so much with my confidence and she deserves a ton of credit along with my sisters,” Smith said. “My sisters and Coach Dahl just pushed me and pushed me and I wouldn’t be the player I am today without them.”
As good as Smith was as a junior, she proved that much better as a senior.
With all of her confidence back Smith drove herself as hard as ever as a senior.
“Cass is one of the hardest-training goalkeepers there is and everyone will tell you the same,” Dahl said. “She’s diligent in every workout and extremely coachable in every way. She’s always had all the technical skills, but toward the end of her junior year, and then leading up to her senior year, we really worked on her being more reactive to every situation. Once she learned that her game just took off.”
Along with becoming a great player, Smith rose to become a great student and a great leader.
“She’s exceptional in every way and with everything she does,” Dahl said. “It’s been such a pleasure to coach her and see her progress and become what she is today. She’s been a great teammate and we’re going to miss her a lot.”
Next up for Smith is playing at the next level at BYU, where she hopes to make the same improvements and subsequent impact she did in high school.
“I’m so excited to go play there and to be part of that great program. It’s seriously a dream come true and I’m just so thankful to everyone who helped get me to where I’m at," Cassidy said. "All my coaches, my dad who got me started, certainly my sisters — I couldn’t have done any of this without all of them.”
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney