Mighty mite: Medina's Rachel Smith is little but fierce

Many an opponent has looked past Rachel Smith when stepping onto the pitch against the Medina girls soccer team this season. Those same foes often have found themselves on the wrong side of a goal scored by the undersized sophomore. Standing 5-foot and weighing 100 pounds, the midfielder doesn't look menacing. Put a soccer ball at her feet, however, and Smith might as well be Godzilla. "I think it's kind of funny with her because they forget about her," Bees coach Brad Wojnarowsky said. "She just can get in and out of places. She's got that motor, man. Like she said in an earlier interview, she's just go, go, go. That's her mantra. She doesn't stop." As Medina (15-2-2) heads into a Division 1, Region 1 semifinal with Niles District champion Massillon Jackson (15-2-2) tonight at Green High School, Smith has been sensational. As a freshman, Smith scored one goal and had one assist. This season, she rolls into the contest with the Polar Bears with eight goals and six assists (22 points). That point total ranks second on the team behind Haley Anspach (34) and is in the top 15 in Medina County as she proves that heart is bigger than any measuring stick. "Honestly, I think it's a big advantage for me," Smith said. "My whole life I've been small, so I've learned to adapt to that. I'm a lot quicker than most people. It's a lot easier to get through people than if I were really big. "It's the drive to prove people wrong. A lot of people don't think I'll be able to do much because I am so short. I use that. You have to really want it, but my team beside me is a big advantage, too." With a mother who is only 5-2, it's probably fair to say Smith won't be dunking a basketball anytime soon. That said, she has become one of the most valuable pieces for the two-time reigning Akron District champions. "She's got zero fear," Wojnarowsky said. "Obviously that speed is an advantage to her. That size gives her a leverage issue where kids don't lean on her as much. She has tremendous technical ability. She's just a fun kid, man. "She's got that unique ability where she wants that stage. She doesn't shy away from that attention. That's just something that isn't taught. The great players have it. They want to be on that stage. They want that responsibility." Those great players show up in the biggest games, and Smith has done that. In a 1-1 tie against Walsh Jesuit this season, Medina found itself trailing after allowing an own goal to the Warriors early into the second half. Just 15 minutes later, the game was knotted after Smith slipped through the cracks to score arguably the biggest goal of her high school career. Fast forward to the playoffs and Smith has been in the middle of it all. "She has incredible speed, so I think that helps her," Anspach said. "She can go against people that are taller and can get around people because she's so short. Her personality on and off the field really boosts her up. "Big games really drive her. She wants to do well and really help the team out no matter where she plays. She gets the job done. Playing with amazing people by her side makes it so much easier." When Anspach (appendectomy) missed time earlier this season, Wojnarowsky needed someone to step up and take the place of his leading scorer. Smith wasted no time in replacing the senior, taking the reins of a young team and leading Medina to a 12-win regular season. "I wanted it really bad," Smith said. "I knew without Haley we would have a bit of a struggle. I didn't want to let my teammates down and have the people who were doubting us be right. We all just wanted it so much." If the Bees want to return to the state semifinals for the first time since 2015, they'll need someone to lead the way. Don't be surprised if that someone is Smith. "That kid the last three weeks, she's a sophomore, she's young, she's there for 15 or 20 minutes begging me to be out there if we go to penalty kicks," Wojnarowsky said. "That's something special that an elite athlete has. They want the ball. They want to be there in that moment." Contact Brad Bournival at bournival929@gmail.com.