Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
Waunakee defeated Middleton 2-0 in penalty kicks to win Saturday night’s WIAA Division 1 sectional final at Burghy Soccer Stadium in Middleton.
Whatever was asked of Charli Smith, she did gladly.
Strategic changes and injuries led Waunakee girls soccer coach Andy Moll to shift his lineup during the season.
Smith — a senior who has committed to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for soccer — was a shutdown defender, including at center back and outside back, for the state-ranked Warriors.
But when called upon, Smith, who likely will play outside back in college, filled other positions.
That included moving forward to attacking spots because of her speed and athleticism.
Moll said Smith’s versatility made her invaluable to Waunakee, which advanced to the WIAA Division 1 state semifinals after sharing the Badger Large Conference title with eventual Division 2 state champion Oregon.
“Charli played almost every position on the field, except goalie this season,” said Moll, adding she probably would have played keeper if asked. “And she just does it. She won’t ask. She doesn’t question. She just does what she can to help in that situation for the team.”
For her efforts and unique versatility for the Warriors this season, Smith was selected as the Wisconsin State Journal/WiscNews girls soccer All-Area player of the year amid a talented group of players in the area.
Smith didn’t mind being moved around on the field.
Waunakee’s Charli Smith looks to dribble away from a pair of Middleton defenders earlier this season.
“It’s been really fun to get to play different positions and work with different people in different ways,” said Smith, whose given first name is Charlise. “To go from a more defensive player to a more offensive player, it’s fun to move around. Every game is different and I like that.”
Smith was named a first-team choice on the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association’s All-State team and was the Badger Large Conference Player of the Year. Smith and Waunakee senior midfielder Alyssa Thomas were the only unanimous first-team all-conference selections in the Badger Large and integral parts of Waunakee’s lineup.
“Her work defensively isn’t something that shows up in stats,” Moll said about Smith. “She’s a great kid. She will do everything and anything for the team. She embodies what you want as a coach.”
A perfect example came in Waunakee’s 1-1 regular-season tie in April with Muskego, which ended the season as the Division 1 state champion.
Moll had Smith, who was playing defender, pay close attention to Muskego senior forward/midfielder Anna Sikorski, a Kentucky commit who wound up as the state’s player of the year for the second consecutive season.
After about 10 minutes, Muskego switched Sikorski to the other side of the field, Moll said. That prompted Waunakee to shift Smith to follow Sikorski to that side.
Later in the match, Sikorski played some in the midfield, looking for offensive opportunities, but she didn’t score in that game.
Smith, however, did.
Waunakee, trailing 1-0 in the match and struggling to get much going on offense, moved Smith up as an attacker. About a minute after moving Smith forward, Smith scored the tying goal in about the 65th minute.
She played a header and was able to deflect the ball over a defender and run around her, gathering the ball and converting the goal.
“It was pure athleticism,” Moll said.
Moll also mentioned how Waunakee used Smith to slow down Madison West’s dangerous senior midfielder Abbey Stanton, a University of Wisconsin recruit who also was a first-team All-State selection, in the Warriors’ 1-0 victory in a Division 1 sectional semifinal.
Waunakee’s Charli Smith shoots against Kimberly during a WIAA Division 1 state semifinal at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.
“She’s got a really good tenacity and a tremendous amount of strength,” Moll said about Smith. “She rarely fouls somebody. Her ability to defend high-level players without fouling was remarkable.”
Drew Kornish, who coached the Sauk Prairie girls soccer team to the Badger Small Conference title prior to stepping down after the season, said Smith’s defensive play during Waunakee’s 2-0 victory over Sauk Prairie was critical.
“She controlled the game from that center-back position,” he said.
He said Smith was the player who was in control of the Warriors’ back line for a defense that “didn’t allow many goals this season.” Waunakee (17-3-3), which often featured freshman Malia Zillman as goalkeeper, had 17 shutouts.
Kornish also said the 5-foot-6 Smith made a significant contribution for Waunakee during the season with her ability to move forward, noting that Smith (five goals and seven assists) assisted on the Warriors’ first goal against Sauk Prairie.
Thomas, a Wright State commit who was an honorable mention All-State choice, said the Warriors’ offense led by Thomas (20 goals, 15 assists) and senior forward Sophie Schnaubelt (11 goals, 12 assists) particularly clicked when Smith moved to forward for part of the season due to a teammate’s injury.
Smith, Thomas and Schnaubelt served as the Warriors’ captains, too, in a memorable season that saw Waunakee finish the regular season ranked fourth in Division 1 and beat Janesville Parker, Oconomowoc, Madison West and Middleton in postseason. The Warriors had hoped to advance further, but fell to Kimberly 1-0 in a Division 1 state semifinal at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.
“Coming back against Oregon was a big point for our team,” Smith said. “We were down 2-0 at halftime. We were able to come back with a tie and I think it really made us realize, ‘We can do this.’ I think we were really driven in that game and ever since. … Our coach put together an amazing schedule and it was so much fun to play all those amazing teams and have good results against them.”
Smith’s contribution was a big part of it.
“Her speed and her ability to beat players in the wide spaces is incredible,” Moll said. “Her defensive presence and her ability to get the ball back is just remarkable.”
Smith anticipates playing outside back at UW-Green Bay, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise that she’s open to all possibilities.
“I will go in with an open mind and play wherever they put me — anywhere I can get playing time,” she said with a smile.
Waunakee’s Alyssa Thomas (25) fights for the ball against Kimberly’s Senah Hanes (20) during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Kimberly’s Emily Urban (8) collides into Waunakee’s Sydney Heideman (7) during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Kimberly’s Senah Hanes (20) fights for the ball against Waunakee’s Sophie Schnaubelt (22) during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Kimberly’s Senah Hanes (20) slide tackles Waunakee’s Lauren Wiitanen (14) during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Waunakee’s Charli Smith (12) shoots the ball against Kimberly during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Waunakee’s Claire Jaeger (9) runs the ball during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Kimberly celebrates after defeating Waunakee during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Waunakee’s Addie Thomas (17) shoots the ball against Kimberly during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Waunakee’s Charlie Smith (12) places her hand on Sophie Schnaubelt (22) during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Waunakee’s Charlie Smith (12) fights for the ball against Kimberly during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Waunakee’s Alyssa Thomas (25) runs the ball against Kimberly during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Waunakee and Kimberly prepare for the corner kick during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
KimberlyÕs Lauren Heckert (0) dives for the ball during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Waunakee’s Alyssa Thomas (25) runs the ball during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Waunakee’s Sophie Schnaubelt (22) fights for the ball against Kimberly during semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 girls soccer state championship tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wis., Friday, June 14, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
sports reporter
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Waunakee defeated Middleton 2-0 in penalty kicks to win Saturday night’s WIAA Division 1 sectional final at Burghy Soccer Stadium in Middleton.
A closer look at five standout performances on the girls soccer field. Vote for your star of the stars.
Waunakee earned a trip to the girls soccer state tournament after downing Middleton on PKs after the teams were scoreless after regulation and…
The Warriors outshot Kimberly 15-4, but was shut out in the first round of the Division 1 state tournament.
Southern Wisconsin was home to great softball this season. Meet our area all-stars.
Here’s a look at the honorees for this year’s State Journal/WiscNews baseball All-Area team.
This is part of a series examining Wisconsin high school records that are unlikely to be broken. We look at the softball state tournament sing…
This is the second in a series examining Wisconsin high school records that are unlikely to be broken. We look at the boys basketball single-g…
Waunakee’s Charli Smith looks to dribble away from a pair of Middleton defenders earlier this season.
Waunakee’s Charli Smith shoots against Kimberly during a WIAA Division 1 state semifinal at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.
