UNITED STATES — In a remarkable display of athletic prowess and strategic genius, graduate student midfielder Owen Smith has earned a prestigious spot on TopDrawerSoccer’s Team of the Week. This accolade comes hot on the heels of a thrilling 5-1 victory that propelled the Western Michigan men’s soccer squad into the second round of the NCAA Tournament—a record-setting third consecutive appearance for the program.
Smith, who currently reigns as the NCAA’s assists champion, showcased his extraordinary skills by contributing not only a goal but also two assists during the electrifying match against SIUE. The five goals scored by WMU in this single tilt have etched their names in the annals of history, establishing a new NCAA Tournament benchmark for the most goals in a single game.
As the drama continued to unfold, Smith’s impact resonated in the subsequent round, where he deftly headed in the decisive goal against Ohio State University. This dazzling play was complemented by assists from his talented teammates: graduate student forward Greyson Mercer and junior defender Emiel Nieuwhof.
This season has been nothing short of extraordinary for Smith, as he shattered WMU’s single-season assists record with an astonishing 17 assists. To put this achievement into perspective, his cumulative assists this year have rocketed him to the ninth spot in the program’s all-time career assists list—a feat rarely seen in such a short span. Nationally, he ranks fourth among active NCAA Division I men’s soccer players with a remarkable total of 26 career assists.
As the 2024 season unfolds, Smith has not only amassed an impressive 29 points—comprised of 6 goals and 17 assists—but has also earned the distinction of creating the eighth-most points in a single season in the storied history of The Brown and Gold.
For those eager to keep abreast of the exhilarating journey of WMU men’s soccer, don’t forget to follow the team on Instagram, @wmu_menssoccer, X, @WMUMensSoccer, and Facebook, @wmumenssoccer.
