Ricky John Bergeron
June 2, 2008June movie releases
June 4, 2008
Vandebilt goalkeeper Mason Smith hates letting guys score.
Despite standing 5 feet, 10 inches and being slight of frame, he is not afraid to challenge taller, more physical players near the net.
Smith constantly works to improve his technique, whether its judging shots in the air or maintaining correct tactical position.
All that hard work has paid off for the three-year starter. He has helped Vandebilt win two state championships (2006 and 2007) and finish as state runner-up this year. Teurlings beat the Terriers in the final game 4-2 on penalty kicks.
Smith was named first team All-State as a sophomore (2007) and is a two-time All-District team selection (2007, 2008).
This summer, the Houma native will play for the Maine Sting of the National Premier Soccer League, a fourth-tier amateur league.
SportsNet caught up with the 17-year-old senior to see how he is prepping for his new summer job.
SportsNet: When did you first start playing soccer?
Mason Smith: I’ve been playing soccer since I was nine. I was playing for a team in Maine. I went up there a couple years ago at the college (Husson College) for a run-through. So that’s how I found out about it.
SN: What made you decide to be a goalie?
MS: It was just always something I like to do. I’ve always been a goalie. I started at nothing but goalkeeper since I was in seventh grade. It’s just something I always liked to do.
SN: Your parents or siblings play soccer?
MS: My younger brother (Nicholas) plays soccer, but my parents (Richard and Belinda) don’t.
SN: What are some of the soccer camps that have helped develop your game?
MS: I attended Husson College soccer camp in Bangor, Maine, Soccer Plus Goalkeeper School, and three years of Roger Bimah’s (E.D. White boys’ soccer coach) goalkeeper camp.
SN: Tell me what you’re thinking when your opponent is advancing the ball toward you ready to place a shot on goal.
MS: ‘Don’t go in!’ That’s usually what I’m thinking. Just keep it under the net. Hope everyone else does his job.
SN: I was talking to [Vandebilt] coach Doug Hamilton about your technique. What do you think makes you a good goalkeeper?
MS: I definitely think its technique. I go to camps every summer, and that is something they really drill you on. That’s something I’ve really been working on a lot. That’s the biggest part of it, being technically sound.
SN: What is the biggest thing you have improved on?
MS: I came a long way last year with set pieces (throw-ins, corner kicks, free kicks and penalty kicks). Communication is something I really worked on a lot. Talking with my teammates.
SN: How long did it take to get over the loss to Teurlings in the state championship game?
MS: It didn’t take me long to get over the loss. It was more of getting over the shock of losing. Having played in a winning state championship game my freshman year and starting for another win my sophomore year, losing was not something I was used to.
SN: How did you get involved with the National Premier Soccer League?
MS: My father is a native of Bangor. So we found out about the team from there. Every summer I spend time in Maine with family up there. It just worked out that I could play soccer while I’m up there.
SN: How many games are there in the season?
MS: There are 10 to 15 games for every team in the league. That’s the regular season and depending on how [the team does] there, they can go to the playoffs.
SN: When does the season start?
MS: The season actually started Saturday (May 24). I’m going up on the eighth of June and start then.
SN: You’re going to be backup, third-string. How does it look for you?
MS: It looks right now like I’ll be under the top two goalkeepers. There’s a guy from England starting, and a collegiate player from … I think Virginia who going to be second-string.
SN: What do you look forward to next season?
MS: Next season at Vandebilt, I’m really hoping I can get a lot more development over the summer that I might be lacking. It looks like we’re going to have a really strong team, so I hope we can make a run at state.
