Renegade Rip

Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Ally Armstrong Bakersfield College center midfielder Lisa Smart steals the ball from Citrus College in the Oct. 5 game at BC.

For sophomore Lisa Smart, it's all about second chances.
Smart, a center midfielder on the Bakersfield College women's soccer team, explained that she took some time off but was convinced to rejoin the team by an assistant coach. "I still had eligibility left, so assistant coach Gina Flores, she kind of talked me into it," said Smart.
Smart described what a center-middle fielder does, "Center-midfield is kind of like the brain. We look to go through our centers and spread the ball to other players. There are two of us in the middle that take control," she said.
Smart said that playing center-midfield requires a great amount of fitness, "You have to be fit because you have to be able to get back and forth at any given time."
Smart, who attended East High School and graduated in 2000, mentions that one of her strengths is her experience. "I have a lot of experience playing. I am a lot older than some of the girls out there. My experience with the game in different situations helps. I am a strong player so I like a lot of contact," Smart said.
Smart said that she needs to improve on her fitness and she needs to learn to see more of the field instead of one side. Smart has no plans to play soccer professionally, but wants to continue to play locally. "I will play recreational soccer for Bakersfield organized league soccer. I am a soccer coach at East High School. I continue coaching and that keeps me kind of on my toes," she said.
Smart is attending BC to major in liberal studies. She plans on using her degree in liberal studies to become an elementary school teacher.
Smart mentioned that she has certain hobbies off the field, "I like to crochet and I like to golf. I have taken up a new sport (golf), or at least I am trying to."
Head coach Scott Dameron feels that Smart brings several things to the team.
"One is experience. At this level that is one of the hard things because everyone is young. She has a real knowledge of the game. She has great leadership qualities," he said.
Smart said her team has good chemistry on and off the field.
"We click. We all get along together this year. We all have strengths in one another."

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