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A small-town kid from Boerne, Texas has been one of the driving forces behind the UNM men’s soccer team this season.
Senior forward Blake Smith has led the Lobos to a No. 9 ranking in the latest NSCAA poll and is tied for fifth in the nation in total assists with seven, which is more than he had during the entire 2011 season.
Smith’s journey began five years ago, when he came Albuquerque to train at a recruiting camp following his junior year at Boerne High School. UNM Head coach Jeremy Fishbein and the staff offered Smith a scholarship after viewing his talent, but his decision on a school was up in the air.
Fishbein said UNM targeted Smith because he showed all the intangibles the Lobos look for in players.
“There was a lot of potential — he was a hungry, great athlete and skilled,” Fishbein said. “He wasn’t a real high-profile player, but he was a guy with talent, drive, intelligence and he’s from a very good family. He had all the characteristics that lead you to believe that they will be very successful.”
During his senior season, Smith watched UNM defeat then-No. 1 Akron at the UNM Soccer Complex. From then on, Smith said he knew he was a Lobo for life.
“I saw the atmosphere here and it was an incredible sight,” he said. “After that, I had it set in my mind that I was going to UNM. I made the right choice after all those years; I’m happy where I am.”
Smith’s freshman season began with a game versus St. Louis on Sept. 1, 2008. That year he totaled 272 minutes of playing time.
The 5-foot-10-inch forward started to crack the starting lineup in his sophomore year, but a shattered collarbone curtailed him for more than half of the season.
Smith said his junior year was when everything came together for him.
“Things just started clicking,” he said. “My defining moment was when I scored the game-winning goal against Duke to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. All that momentum has carried over to this year.”
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Smith earned first team All-MPSF, second team NSCAA All-Far West Region and led UNM in scoring with 10 goals last season.
Smith’s off-the-field record is just as impressive as his records in the game. The Texas native is one of 30 candidates selected for the 2012 Senior CLASS Award, which recognizes student-athletes who not only demonstrate superb athleticism but also serve the community and are stellar academically.
Smith said he makes his education a priority.
“People don’t advocate the student aspect of a student-athlete; it’s important,” he said. “This isn’t going to last forever, so it’s important to get your education. Of course, I want to play soccer at the next level, but if it doesn’t work then I always have my education to fall back on.”
Smith has a 3.2 GPA and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He also takes part in multiple soccer clinics and helps teammate Levi Rossi coach soccer at American-Indian reservations around the state.
Smith said the team’s statewide outreach effort has been an important aspect of thanking the fans for their support.
“The whole team contributes a lot by speaking to some of the kids,” Smith said. “We make that a priority. The community helps us a lot, so we try to return the favor.”
