No high school soccer team practices or plays in Ethan Smartnick’s hometown of Boulder. In fact, no regulation soccer field graces the town. But that hasn’t stopped the Jefferson High student from achieving a competitive soccer title.
Ever since age five, Smartnick has played Vigilante Soccer in Helena, traveling the roughly 30 miles each way to participate. When he became old enough, younger brother Caleb followed in his footsteps. This year both jumped up to competitive soccer with the new Queen City Football Club, Ethan in the U-17 division and Caleb in the U-15 division.
“Making the commitment to travel three nights a week for practice, and then traveling for tournament on the weekends has paid off for both of them,” said their mother, Dawn Smartnick.
Caleb’s U-15 team finished third in the division at the Montana Soccer State Cup in May. Ethan’s U-17 team went undefeated at the state cup, taking the division title by scoring 20 goals during the tournament while allowing only five goals against them in the four games they played.
“My favorite part about the State Cup, of course, was winning the championship, but also getting to spend time with my teammates and their families,” said Ethan.
The Queen City Football Club in which the two brothers play was just formed a year ago by James Johnston, a Helena High coach who saw a need for more focus on skill development.
Calling the past year in competitive league soccer “one of the best years of competition in my sports career,” Ethan praised the leadership by Johnston and his fellow coaches. “The coaches are top notch, not only on the field, but in teaching life lessons too. I was impressed with how they support me even though I am not from Helena. They even came to Boulder to watch me play basketball for the Panthers,” said Ethan, “so that was pretty cool.”
Although he is involved in several sports, Ethan said soccer is high on the list. “Soccer is a great sport because it requires skill, agility, knowledge, teamwork and mental toughness,” he said. “Contrary to popular belief, soccer is a very physical game, and you need to be on your toes all the time.”
Ethan’s admiration of Coach Johnston is mutual. “Ethan is a young man of great character and morals,” said the coach. “He has a tremendous work ethic and I am proud that he represents our club.” Johnston also had praise for Ethan’s parents, Dawn and Ron Smartnick, “for raising a great kid.”
Although Caleb has yet to capture a division state title, he too has captured the admiration of his coach. “Caleb is the youngest player on our team, but he sure doesn’t play like it,” said Coach Randy Robertson. “He is a huge part of our defense at the center back position. We also use him as one of our penalty kickers and he hasn’t been stopped yet.” The coach went on to say, “Kids like Caleb make us coaches look good.”
Caleb said soccer is his favorite of the many sports he plays and “has given me the opportunity to make new friends outside of Boulder and learn how to work together with different people.” He credited a lot of that preference for soccer to his coaches “because they make learning fun, but they are also professional and aren’t afraid to tell you when you are doing something wrong.” He added, “My teammates are also fun to be around.” The recent state cup competition was his first time in such a big event, said Caleb. “It made me feel important and part of something big,” he said. Perhaps with a thought about his own future in the background, Caleb gave a nod to Ethan’s achievement. “I loved watching the U-17 team win the state championship,” he said.
