Jackrabbit Duo Takes on WPSL

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In a two-part series, GoJacks.com visited with current and former Jackrabbits playing in the Women's Premier Soccer League. Part one features Nicole Hatcher and Maggie Smither, current members of the Jackrabbit program who spent the summer in Des Moines, Iowa.  -------------------

After the school year ended, Hatcher and Smither took a chance on and spent the summer playing for the Des Moines Menace of the WPSL. Three months later, the Jackrabbit duo is set to return to South Dakota State and have their eyes set on another NCAA Tournament after a successful summer.

Hatcher and Smither have helped the Menace to a 3-1-2 record with regular season play wrapping up this weekend, setting the team up for a potential postseason run as it currently holds the No. 1 spot in the Heartland Division of the Central Region. The success on-field has been a highlight, but a greater benefit of the summer league has come in using morning workouts, evening practices and weekend games to improve areas of their game. 

For Smither, the Menace opportunity was the chance to grow as a leader while taking more control of a team from the box.

"This was a great opportunity for me to get practice in leadership role while working on my communication," Smither said. "Throughout the year, (SDSU head coach) Brock (Thompson) and I would talk about me needing to be more vocal on the field, so that was big focus on mine. Hopefully that helps during the season and helps me earn a leadership role at SDSU."

Hatcher went into the summer focused on improving her on-field skill, becoming more technically sound while getting as many touches on the ball she could.

The pair has grown closer through the summer as well, living together with a host family and relying on each other for advice and support through Menace training and SDSU summer workouts.

"It's nice to have a familiar face," Hatcher said. "We've known each other for a long time from growing up in Sioux Falls, playing in soccer leagues and then later playing against her in high school."

Smither agreed, noting that while they play different positions, she looked to Hatcher for feedback from the other side of the penalty area, gaining insight into what an attacker saw from the sophomore goalkeeper while approaching a shot.

Aside from each other, the Jackrabbit duo soaked up knowledge from their summer teammates on a roster filled with Division I Power Five, High and Mid-Major and Division II student-athletes.

Hatcher, who enjoyed the experience to compete with players in all levels of the game, learned by watching those who played her position and the different styles they brought to the game.

"It's definitely been eye opening," Smither said of the level of players. "You try not to compare yourself or your team to these girls, but it's nice to see how our team matches up in work ethic."

As the 2017 season approaches, Hatcher and Smither will bring their shared experiences back to a Jackrabbit program that reached its third consecutive NCAA Tournament last season.

"I think I'm going to go into the season sharper and more prepared," Hatcher, a returning All-Summit League First Team pick, said. "Hopefully that means more growth as a team and that I can do what I can to help us be successful."

Smither, coming off a record-breaking season between the pipes, will take the experience of facing elevated competition every day and carry the benefits into training camp, the regular season and "hopefully another NCAA tournament."

SDSU reports for training camp August 1 and opens the season with a neutral site exhibition against Wyoming August 11.