Schmidt finds her footing

by Matthew Ondesko: Managing Editor

Every journey in college is different for a student-athlete. Some will start, some will play sparingly and some will take a completely different route like redshirting.

Redshirting a year isn’t fun. The player already knows they won’t see any action that season, but will still be around the team. They do everything the team does, they just don’t get into a game. While they are able to save a year of eligibility, it’s still not fun.

Niagara University soccer player Izzy Schmidt came into last season with an open mind about saving a year of eligibility. She knew she might not get into a lot of contest, and instead of wasting a yea,r she redshirted.

For her it was a year of growth. It allowed her to get stronger, and see the game from a different perspective. Ever since she put on the cleats for the first time, Schmidt has been on the pitch helping her team win.

Now, she was watching the game from a different perspective.

“I came into school with an open mind about redshirting, and I think it is a super positive thing that helped me gain a lot of experience,” stated Schmidt. “Even though I was aware I was redshirting, it's hard having to sit on the sidelines during games and not be able to travel with the team. My teammates were always super supportive of me and I never felt less a part of the team.”

It wasn’t always easy. Schmidt wanted to be out there helping her teammates on the pitch. She wanted to be part of something. But, redshirting also had its advantages. It allowed her to get acclimated with school and playing at the Division I level.

While she wasn’t playing, she was still practicing with some of the best college soccer players in the country. She was seeing what it takes to compete at this level. So, when this year rolled around she was going to ready.

“It is super hard to sit on the sidelines and watch your team play when you can’t, but there are a ton of positives to redshirting,” stated Schmidt. “It's a great way to transition to a higher level of play because you are gaining so much experience in practice. Most freshmen on college teams don’t play a lot, redshirting allows you to play for an extra year when the alternative maybe playing a couple minutes all season.”

This past summer was one that Schmidt didn’t take off. She wanted to be ready when fall camp started at Niagara. So, what better way to get in her work than with FC Buffalo. When it comes to women’s soccer FC Buffalo is the gold standard.

The team is made up of college talent from around Western New York, and they have dominated their league, winning the division multiple times, and playing in the national tournament.

For Schmidt to get elected to play with the best of the best was a dream come true. She was able to pick the brain of so many players, and see how they train on a daily experience. The experience was invaluable.

“The biggest thing I have changed this summer is playing for FC Buffalo. I am super grateful for this opportunity because the caliber of players is very high and the training is always super competitive and fun,” stated Schmidt. “I have also gotten a lot of minutes playing against high caliber teams, which will help me prepare for this upcoming season. I think playing for Fc Buffalo has been so important in my development as a player. I am extremely grateful to be playing with some of the best players in WNY. A lot of the girls have a ton of experience and I love competing with them at practice. Playing in games for Fc Buffalo is so fun and the atmosphere is amazing. I have gained so much experience playing against high caliber teams and even competing with the girls at practice.”

Goal scorers score goals, and that’s what Schmidt has done her entire soccer life. Whether it was at Western New York Flash, or Williamsville North, Schmidt was always on the scoresheet. As a goalscorer she knows there are times she needs to be selfish. That she needs to take the shot when possible.

But, it’s also about reading the game. She has become a better student of the game and knows when she needs to take the shot or pass it off to a teammates that may have a better angle.

“ When it comes to passing the ball or taking a shot you have to have a lot of awareness of where you are on the field and who is around you. In order to know if you should take the shot you need to be aware of your skill level and also where your teammates are because someone could have a better angle. There are definitely times you need to be selfish, but your decision making always has to be focused towards what decision is going to benefit the team and not only yourself,” stated Schmidt. “A lot of coaches have told me I am too short, but I don’t think height matters. I focus on my position to try and create scoring opportunities and find the gaps in the defense.”