The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Meet the newcomers: Abby Smith
07.10.2012 | Soccer
July 10, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas -- Abby Smith has been a member of the as Dallas Texans 94 Red Soccer Club with fellow signees Lindsey Meyer and Kelsey Shimmick since 2005 and played for Plano West High School.
She plays for the US Soccer Women's National Team U20 National Team and this spring took part in CONCACAF Qualifying and participated in the 2012 U20 World Cup Summer Camp in January.
Smith also made appearances at the 2011 U18 National Team Camp, 2011 U20 Camp, 2011 U20 team trip to Spain and the U17 Dallas Cup game (USA vs. Brazil). Smith participated in the National Team Camps from 2008-2010.
She is a four-year captain for her club team and participated in the Olympic Development Program from 2005-2010. She was named the 2010 Area Goalkeeper of the Year and the 2009 Area Newcomer of the Year. She is a two-time NSCAA Youth All-American and 2010 Parade Magazine All-American.
Smith recently spent some time with TexasSports.com as she prepares for her freshman season with the Longhorns.
How did you originally become a goalkeeper? I just remember that my coaches would always put me in goal, and I was the only one who wasn't afraid of being back there. That's how it stuck.
What's the key to being a good goalkeeper? You have to be able to, not necessarily predict, but read the game so that you are in the right position at the right time. You always need to be one step ahead.
How were you able to graduate high school a semester early, and what have you been doing with your time? It just sort of happened. During my junior year, I was already ahead in my math courses, and with the travel I would be doing for the world cup, my parents and I discussed taking summer school and online classes. The timing was just perfect for me to get everything completed, all my credits out of the way. With all the traveling I've been doing with the national team, it's been great.
I feel like I'm going to have a fresh mindset coming to college, and this has also made me miss school. I'm excited to get in the classroom and play soccer. I'm ready to get down there.
What excites you about training under Coach Kelly and her staff? They are honestly the most down to earth people that I've met, as far as coaches go. I like their thought process about training, and the fact that they can relate to what you're doing as players. I feel like I can learn a ton from Jaimel (Johnson), because she's been through the college process, and she's still young and does the workouts.
What are your early impressions of the summer conditioning plan, and what are your goals personally before you arrive for preseason? When I first saw it, I thought it was so much. I knew I could do it though. I feel like it will get me in shape, so that I'm prepared for preseason.
What are your academic plans while studying at UT? I've been talking to my parents about this, because I was interested in art in high school. I'm thinking about studying graphic design. I'm just nervous, because my personality is such that I have to have decent grades.
