By Katie Brown, Sports Editor
Garrett Smith (GHS '21) had an impressive and highly successful high school career for Gorham, including Defensive Player of the Year for both soccer and basketball. His success helped the Rams team go 34-5-3 during three seasons on varsity playing for Coach Nick Viola, which propelled him to play at the next level.
Smith started his college career at Bryant University, RI, following a postgraduate year at Bridgton Academy, where Smith earned All-American honorable mention for his "captain of defense" goalkeeping skills. When Smith moved on to attend and play at Div I Bryant University his freshman and sophomore seasons he would then make a great transfer decision, moving to Div II Saint Michael's College (SMC), which would prove to be a perfect match.
In Smith's junior season, he allowed 1 goal or less in 10 games, posting shutouts in 3 of his first 4 games, including a 5-save debut in a 1-0 win vs. Georgian Court. He had a season-high 9 saves (2GA) vs. Southern New Hampshire on Sept. 25 and 8 saves in a 4-1 win at Assumption on Oct. 19.
Smith credits his past coach Phil Darasz, who coached him for a few years for GYSA, along with Nick Viola and Andy Lefebvre, who helped with his development while playing club soccer, Martyn Keen for training sessions during periods of high school, and Jim Hopkins, who coached him at Bridgton Academy and helped him achieve his goal of reaching Division 1.
Smith, now a senior, recently finished his soccer career for the Purple Knights in Vermont, which concluded on Nov. 10. SMC had a fantastic year and finished their season strong: the team scored
35 goals (second most in SMC history and second most in NE10 this year). The Purple Knights made the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since the 2006-2007 seasons and only the second time ever in the NE10 conference.
Smith shared, "Beating Adelphi University was a first for SMC and the most exciting win in my career at SMC." Smith in only a two-year tenure at SMC finished 5th in school history in goals-against average, 6th in shutouts and 8th in wins.
According to Saint Michael's website and to add another shining highlight on his career, Smith was named Northeast 10 Conference Goalkeeper of the Week two times. He allowed only one goal that week while turning in a 0.50 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and 5.5 saves per game. He had another six stops in a 2-0 win at regionally-ranked Adelphi University, after finishing top three in the NE10 in GAA, save percentage, saves per game and shutouts last season.
Smith shared that he will graduate in May with a degree in Business Administration. He has one season of eligibility remaining and has entered the transfer portal to continue his soccer career and pursue a postgraduate degree (TBD). He hopes to play for the Hearts of Pine professional soccer team down the road.
