Caroline Smith wanted a change of scenery after years of playing ice hockey.

Smith started playing ice hockey “at an early age” but few local athletes participated in the sport, which forced the Liberty senior to venture to Denver to compete.

However, the Colorado Springs-to-Denver weekend trips took their toll and Smith desired a more accessible sport.

Smith learned of a Grow the Game clinic as an eighth grader and the event featured field hockey. As Smith completed drills at the clinic, she realized field hockey resembled ice hockey.

Meanwhile, her future coach, Teryn Brill Galloway, who ran the clinic, observed Smith’s talent and how she effortlessly absorbed the game.

Peak Performer field hockey player Caroline Smith of Liberty High School poses for a portrait at the Gazette’s studio on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Gabi Broekema

“As a coach, you know when you see someone with potential,” Brill Galloway said. “At that Grow the Game clinic, she stood out as someone who had potential and once she came to our program she made an immediate impact. She could read the play of what elimination skills needed to be used. That can come with time, but she already had it. I’m not sure if that’s because of her ice hockey background but she stood out. She controlled and moved the ball well and had soft hands – that’s super helpful when you’re playing our sport.”

As Smith crushed any drill she participated in, she also soaked in the environment of positivity from players and coaches who worked to explain the minutiae of field hockey.

Smith advanced to indoor field hockey where she competed in five-on-five games and continued to experience a seamless transition to the sport.

“The first couple of times I played it I really enjoyed it,” Smith said. “Ice hockey is a fast sport and it’s intense and aggressive. It felt like it translated well to playing attack. You have to be quick inside of the goal and be willing to get in there and take shots. … It wasn’t all that strange or hard to shift.”

When Smith suited up for the Lancers field hockey team as a freshman, she displayed no signs of a learning curve. Smith led Liberty in goals with eight, which was as many as her next two closest teammates combined.

Smith also led the Lancers with 18 points as a freshman.

Since her freshman season in 2020, Smith has led or had a share of the lead in goals and points. Smith also had the most shots and assists in two of her four seasons. Smith capped her senior campaign with seven goals, tied for first on the team, five assists and 19 points, both of which were team highs.

Smith said her prior experience helped her achieve those numbers and allowed her to understand how players think.

While Smith competed in ice hockey, she also plays lacrosse in the spring. In ice hockey, Smith played defense and in lacrosse, she’s a midfielder.

As a forward in field hockey, having the insight at each position and knowing a player’s move before they execute it gave Smith an advantage.

“I think all sports transfer well to one another. It’s a mindset,” Smith said. “Playing all these sports has helped me become better at anticipating what people are going to do and what I need to do. The presence of those other athletics has helped me become a smarter field hockey player.”

Brill Galloway not only enjoyed Smith’s play on the field, but her ability as a leader.

During the summer, as coaches dealt with full-time work and volunteering, Brill Galloway said Smith led captain’s only practices where players drilled on the basics of field hockey.

The Lancers ended the year 7-9, a slight drawback from their 7-10 season in 2022 where Liberty made the postseason.

But Brill Galloway said she’s grateful for the impact Smith made on the team during her four seasons.

“Her dedication leading into her final season was critical for what we do,” Brill Galloway said. “She invested in the sport and her skill during the summer. Caroline has a calm demeanor and it transferred into the season. She was one of the key leaders in the summer and had team dinners and led well. I’m so proud of the work she’s done for this program.”

Peak Performer field hockey player Caroline Smith of Liberty High School poses for a portrait at the Gazette’s studio on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Gabi Broekema