Jessica Smugala helps lead the Lady Archers throughout the season
By: DAVID KLOECKENER
Photo Editor
Typically, players who have good talent on the field, a good head on their shoulders and are able to lead a team through obstacles are a dream for coaches.
The Lady Archers’ sophomore and Seckman High School graduate Jessica Smugala is motivated to succeed in not only academics but also in her soccer career at STLCC.
“I wanted to [play in college] but I didn’t know if I was good enough or if I was able to,” Smugala said. “I wanted to focus on school too. I love it.”
Smugala started playing recreational soccer at a young age, but moved on to play for select teams including MC United and Ajax Elite. Smugala has even played for multiple teams at the same time. While playing for the Lady Jaguars at Seckman High School, Smugala played for Ajax Elite as well.
“I played recreational soccer until sixth grade. Then I played for MC United, which is a select team,” Smugala said. “I played for Ajax Elite St. Louis because MC United and Ajax merged to became Ajax Elite St. Louis.”
According to Smugala, even though she played for her high school and select soccer teams, she feels coaches for select teams are more experienced and know more about soccer since it is more competitive than high school soccer.
“For select [soccer teams] I feel the coaches were more experienced because the coaches in high school were just teachers,” Smugala said. “They know stuff but they’re not as experienced. Select is more competitive and fun.”
Since joining the Lady Archers, Smugala has been proficient player and was second on the team in with five assists.
In the 2013 seaon, Smugala leads the team goals with nine and is tied for second in assists with three.
According to Lady Archers Head Coach Juergen Huettner, when looking for a captain, coaches and players look for someone who stands out and is able to lead the team on or off the field.
The coaching staff is pleased with the performance of Smugala as a captain.
“Jessica is a good caption. She works hard and directs the players very well on the field. She gets things done and takes responsibility,” Huettner said. “That’s what you look for in a captain. Right now she is doing everything we ask her to do.”
Since being named captain for the 2013 season, Smugala said she considers that something which has helped her as a player, person and leader.
“I think it does help me. I feel like I’m a natural leader and it helps me talk more. I feel I’m a good leader when it comes to getting everyone involved because I don’t like anyone to be left out,” Smugala said. “I’m one of those people that like to talk to everyone and make sure everyone is happy.”
Smugala enjoys the support the Lady Archers receive from her aunt and two uncles who own Smugala’s Pizza Pub.
Smugala finds it remarkable that the team is able get food after games or practices.
“It’s my two uncles and my aunt that own it. They support us all the time. They threw a fundraiser and then we’d go there and eat as a team. We support each other back and forth,” Smugala said. “We ate there only a few times this year and did a couple times last year. It’s not an all the time thing but on special occasions.”
Smugala considers the closeness of the team a quality that will be maintained throughout the season.
“At first we weren’t that close but then throughout the year we got closer. This year we started off strong because we played summer league and we got all the freshmen to make sure they were involved in stuff too,” Smugala said. “We had a really good team last year. We lost a lot last year but we gained even more back this year. We have a really good bench to work from. Even if our starters come off and we put our bench on, we don’t lose much, which is really nice.”
