Terp Talk With Field Hockey's Keli Smith
10/26/2000 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 26, 2000
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - For four years, forward Keli Smith (Selinsgrove, Pa.) has been a constant in the Maryland field hockey line-up. Bursting with talent and driven by an unparalleled work ethic and love of the game, the senior has been the backbone of a team that has compiled a 72-14 record since her arrival in College Park. The gifted yet modest Smith has played and started in every match of her collegiate career, enjoying team success as a NCAA champion and two-time ACC title-winner, and also individual honors as a two-time All-American, three-time All-Region selection and 1999-2000 ACC Honor Roll member.
"Keli is exceedingly fierce and tenacious," said Maryland head coach Missy Meharg. "She only knows one was to compete - 100% at every opportunity. But at the same time, her humble nature keeps her mind open and focused."
Recently, Smith sat down with www.umterps.com, the Official Website of Maryland Athletics, to discuss her field hockey roots, dealing with success and the influence of her family.
umterps.com: When did you start playing field hockey?
Keli Smith: I started hitting hockey balls around the yard with my older sister - Kara - who is eight years older than me and played at Ursinus College, when I was six years old.
My first team was when I was in seventh grade - middle school. I guess that's early, because most middle schools don't have hockey.
umterps.com: As a student-athlete role model that you looked up to, is Kara a big influence on your career?
KS: Yeah, she was always a very competitive athlete. She gave a good example of how to have fun and always give 100%.
umterps.com: Why do you think Maryland hockey has been so successful?
KS: We have a team full of great athletes, all of whom are very skilled. And we all respect each other's strengths and weaknesses on and off the field.
umterps.com: You guys obviously take a lot of pride in the way you play your game, but do you feel extra pressure knowing you're the "team to beat?"
KS: There's extra pressure this year because we're expected to "defend" the national championship, but we think it's how much you focus on your own expectations that is important, versus outsiders or media.
umterps.com: How difficult is that?
KS: Well, the most important part is focusing on what we can control and can't control.
We know we can control executing the game plan, and giving our best effort. We can't always control the outcome of a game or what the scoreboard says at the end. What we always talk about is just giving our best effort and letting the scoreboard take care of itself.
umterps.com: What makes an athlete a great field hockey player?
KS: Patience and practice. You have to work on your skills -- your passing and receiving. Those who can get good at the simple skills will have the potential to become great players. You have to be disciplined, but you also have to love the game.
umterps.com: Besides hockey, what other sports did you play growing up?
KS: I played basketball and ran track in high school. When I was a little kid, I played little league baseball with the boys. That was fun. It challenged me to compete at a level that I wouldn't have experienced if I played softball with the girls.
umterps.com: But you like field hockey the best?
KS: I enjoyed all the sports for different reasons, but to be honest I was just better at hockey. I think it's because I started at a younger age. My skills were pretty good by the time I was in high school.
umterps.com: What is the best part of playing a sport in college?
KS: The best part is the bonding experience that has formed among our team. We go through good and bad times together, and because of that we feel like a family. That makes the team stronger.
umterps.com: Does that extend "outside the lines?"
KS: Well, all experiences make us stronger. The key is how we support each other.
Not just in the locker room and on the field, but outside the hockey atmosphere.
umterps.com: What are some of the challenges of playing sports at this level?
KS: Coming in as a freshman you have to learn that you're no longer the superstar, like you were in high school. You have to be open-minded and learn from everyone who's older than you and more experienced. Also, the game on turf is completely different than the game on grass. It's much faster and more controlled, so it challenges you to push yourself physically to your limit.
umterps.com: Sounds like you have to learn new things quickly.
KS: Yeah. Tactically the game is completely different. You probably learn more during the first weeks of preseason then you've learned your whole life in field hockey.
umterps.com: Who inspires you?
KS: Definitely my teammates. And also my dad. He played college football at Penn State and I grew up looking up to him. He taught me to work my hardest and be modest with my successes.
umterps.com: As an All-America defensive back in college with a field hockey All-American daughter, does your dad bring something different as a spectator than most dads?
KS: Like most dads, he's proud of me. What makes my dad special is that he understands the pressure involved [in college competition] and so he doesn't put any additional pressure on me. He just wants me to have fun for myself and my teammates.
umterps.com: What does it mean to have your parents supporting you at all of the games?
KS: It definitely means something because it puts me at ease. The fact that they're there helps make me work harder. Not because they have any other expectations but because they want me to be the best I can for myself and for the team as a whole.
umterps.com: What do you do in your free time?
KS: I enjoy hanging out with my friends and shopping. During the season, my free time is limited. Most nights I try to get some studying in.
umterps.com: How do you deal with the balance of school work during the busy season?
KS: It's actually easier in-season because your time is limited and you're almost forced to manage your time better.
umterps.com: Do you have any words of advice for girls who want to play field hockey in college?
KS: Just work hard, and have fun. Make sure you're playing because you love it, and follow your heart.
Richmond Round-Up: Scouting The Spiders
The University of Richmond (7-11, 1-4 CAA) visit College Park on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. for Senior Day. The Spiders are coming off a hard-fought 1-0 loss at the hands of No. 12 William & Mary on Oct. 25 after suffering a 9-1 thumping by No. 2 Old Dominion (Oct. 21).
The Spiders are led by the nation's sixth-leading goal scorer in All-CAA forward Heather Rice. The junior has 19 goals on the season and is also ranked eleventh in the NCAA in point-scoring. Senior Megan Conway keys the Spiders with 10 assists, while junior Holly Chase has a team-second four goals and seven assists. In goal, senior Brooke Fuller owns a 2.79 goals against average.
Fourth-year head coach Shelly Behrens is an accomplished coach at the collegiate and national level. A former goalie in her playing days, as a coach she mentored the keepers on the 1999 US Field Hockey Squad that took silver at the Pan American Games. Behrens spent time as an assistant coach at various institutions for seven seasons before taking over the head job at Richmond.
The Terrapins enjoy a 14-0-1 series lead over the Spiders. The Terps took a 5-0 victory a season ago in Richmond, after an 8-0 win in College Park in 1998.
Contact: Mark Fratto
301-314-7064 (phone)
301-314-9094 (FAX)
301-314-TERP (Fan Phone)
fratto@wam.umd.edu
