Former third-string goalie has established himself as starter going into Section playoffs
Senior Ben Smogard was the third-string goalie going into the season, but injuries to the other two goalies on the team has given him the chance to shine in the playoff spotlight.
As Section 5A’s is coming up for the BSM boys’ soccer team, the team is looking to put its best players out on the field. Having three goalies going into the season has created an interesting but useful dynamic on the team. Senior Ben Smogard, who coming into the season was the third-string goalie, has been the starting goalie for the latter part of the regular season and continues to maintain a presence on the field as the team enters the Section 5A playoffs.
Smogard got his first shot in net after the first- and second-string goalies, senior Jose Machuca and freshman Louis Hyde, respectively, got injured. Smogard’s first game as a starter was a shutout against Duluth Marshall. “My first varsity game was the first game of the year against Duluth Marshall. I was a little nervous–I barely had any action the whole game, but I didn’t let any goals in; the defense did a great job,” Smogard said.
Even though the other goalies have gotten healthy, Smogard has been able to hold down his spot as the starter by doing whatever he can to stand out. “[You] just have to take your chances when you get them and make the most out of [every opportunity]; you are never guaranteed a spot,” Smogard said.
Smogard stepped up and has been a great asset to the team, being in goal for every win the team holds so far, including a 3-0 shutout of Chanhassen on September 13. “I really wanted our team to succeed, so I stepped up as a goalie and tried to do my best to help get some wins for the team,” Smogard said.
Even though there is constant competition between the goalies, Smogard affirms that the relationship between the three goalies is a positive one. “We are all good friends with each other, [and] we have fun,” Smogard said.
Smogard plans on continuing to do what he has been doing, and putting his best foot forward to continue to be an important asset to the team. His goal for the end of the season is to hopefully help take the team to state. The first game of the postseason for the Red Knights will be the Section 5A Quarterfinal, where BSM is set to face Maranatha Christian/West Lutheran on Thursday, October 13, at 7:00pm at BSM Stadium.
