Sophomore Abby Schmidt has been playing soccer since first grade. After dabbling in basketball and track, she continued with soccer all through high school, ending her high school soccer career with her team winning the sectional championships; it’s one of her best memories.
The following year, she arrived at Houghton and adjusted to the program’s style of play. Women’s head soccer coach, David Lewis, said “she has adapted well to” the “increased speed of play at the college level.”
Now on the Houghton college women’s soccer team, Schmidt jokes that she has a “one a season” pattern for goals, which she fulfilled on November 1st against St. John Fisher. She scored one of the team’s four goals in the final game of the season, contributing to the win on their home turf. The win was a “confidence booster,” Schmidt said, after they “struggled in midseason.”
“In practice and in games, Abby is one of the most determined and hardworking players on the field. Her passion for soccer and for her teammates has been a great source of motivation for me the past couple of seasons that I’ve had the opportunity to play with her,” said senior captain Mary Strand of her teammate.
Schmidt enjoys every aspect of soccer at Houghton. She appreciates the focus on Christ. “It makes you want to play soccer better,” she explained. There is “more respect on and off the team,” and the relationships are strong. She loves how her experience has been “about building relationships with the team” and that the team “sticks together. We won and lost as a team.”
She practices with her friends in the racquetball courts when she is not doing in season or spring training. “She genuinely cares about people, I have seen it in the way she interacts with her teammates and friends,” said Strand.
Schmidt’s positive attitude is reflected on those around her. “Abby is contributing to the team’s dynamic,” Lewis said. “She exhibits genuine care for her teammates…has a great attitude and fits nicely with the mission of our team.” He echoed Abby’s own sentiments, that “her best moment[s] would include the lasting relationships that she is creating with her teammates.”
“One day, Abby would like to work in public relations for an athletics team or department, which is reflective of her passions for both sports and people,” said Strand.
Schmidt exudes hope and positivity. “We’re peaking at the right time,” she said. Soccer is a large part of her life, but she affirms positively that it’s “worth it.”