Bullet Shot: Athlete of the Week
By Bethany Holtz, Sports Editor
Photo Courtesy of Gettysburg College
Junior Henry Smith celebrates after scoring what held up as the game-winning goal versus Marymount.
The Gettysburg College men’s soccer team is out-shooting and slamming opponents left and right this season. The thundering Bullets remain undefeated with a record of 7-0-1 and 2-0 in the Centennial Conference, their best start since the 1993 team opened the year 10-0-1. This year’s Bullets also broke into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III Top-25 National Poll, with a ranking of number 19. Among the team’s many standout players is junior Henry Smith.
Smith returns from a breakout sophomore season, during which he formed the backbone of the Bullets’ offense with junior K.J. DePontes. Smith started in all 17 matches during his sophomore year and led the Bullets with 56 shots on goal. Moving from midfield to forward, Smith also led the Bullets in goals with seven shots in the net. He also handed out three assists to lead the team with 17 points and earned All-Centennial Conference Second Team recognition.
This week Smith scored a pair of pivotal second-half goals in Gettysburg’s recent matchup against Marymount. Smith’s quick footwork helped the team rally from a 1-0 halftime deficit, topping Marymount University 2-1. Smith was not only able to help his team even the scoreboard, but he also landed what became the game-winning goal.
Smith’s success this week comes as no surprise since he has been a leader on and off the field throughout the season. Two weeks ago Smith was named the Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Week, after registering two goals and two assists in a 2-0 week for the Bullets. He played a role in all three of the Bullet’s goals in a 3-0 victory over Eastern Mennonite University, scoring one goal and assisting on the other two. Smith also scored a goal in the last half of Gettysburg’s 5-1 win over Goucher College.
As Gettysburg continues to move forward with their season, the Bullets are surely grateful to have a player like Smith on the pitch. For Smith’s quick footwork, scoring abilities, and leadership on the field, he has earned himself the honor of being this week’s “Bullet of the Week.”
