Schmitt Looks to Instill Championship Mindset for Next Generation
September 14, 2017 | Men's Soccer
Junior leads by example with impact plays in spotlight matches for No. 12 Cardinals
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -Â Tate Schmitt's performances in big games have not gone unnoticed. Dating back to last year, Schmitt scored three of his five goals against ranked foes, including two game-winners in the NCAA tournament over UCLA and Notre Dame. Â
Transitioning from striker to right midfield last season hindered his production, but the Arizona native never shied away from big moments. Despite his ability come through when it counts most, he remains humble and treats every game the same.Â
"They do excite me," Schmitt said. "People need to step up in big games, and I always look at that as an opportunity to be a leader and try to find those goals. But it's just another game. I don't look at it differently than any other."Â
The No. 12 Cardinals suffered their first defeat against No. 2 Wake Forest on Saturday night. Schmitt gave Louisville the lead with a looping header in the 16th minute. The Demon Deacons struggled to find answers to the Cardinals attack, but the momentum evaporated in less than a minute. Wake Forest equalized in the 35th minute, immediately after All-American Tim Kubel was sent off and added two more goals in the second half to win their sixth straight in the series, 3-1.Â
"It was hard for us," Schmitt said. "Of all the games we talked about at the beginning of the year, Wake Forest was one of them. We wanted to start the ACC with three points, but sometimes the calls don't go your way. We got the red card, we accept it. But now we just look past it, realize that it's in the past and know that we have a big opportunity against Syracuse this Friday. Now, it's putting more emphasis on this game, and it's a must-win for us."Â
There is no game Louisville doesn't treat as a must-win, but no team wants to start in the ACC 0-2. With the quality in the conference from top to bottom, losing two straight makes the rest of the conference schedule a tough climb. Â
The task is made more difficult with Kubel missing the trip to No. 7 Syracuse. But with the depth and talent Louisville has, Schmitt feels the team as a whole will have to work harder to replace the loss of the MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, with their play and leadership." Â
"It's a big opportunity for me to step up and take the leadership role. But you can't look for one person to replace Tim because he's such a great captain," said Schmitt. "Everyone is going to have to step up. We have to talk and communicate with one another and make sure everyone is doing what they're responsible for like getting forward, tracking back, and just being there for one another."Â
Over the summer, Schmitt returned home to Arizona to play club soccer at the PDL level for FC Tucson. He captained the side that finished 9-2-3 and won their fourth straight division title. Playing alongside other elite collegiate players prepared him to help the team go on another potential deep postseason run. Â
"Everything about FC Tucson is the reason why they are one of the top franchises in the PDL. It was a great experience. Being with the other top collegiate players helps you grow during the three months," Schmitt noted. "And John Pearlman is why people go out there. To be on the team and to train in Tucson, where the climate can get up to 110 degrees, helps you grow training wise. I think that was a major key, with the heat and the coach Pearlman, he helped us be a winning team."Â
Leaving the program better than it was is the main goal University of Louisville head coach Ken Lolla sets for his players. Everyone has their own vision of what they set to accomplish while at Louisville. Schmitt wants to deliver a NCAA National Championship to prove that being a part of Lolla's system breeds success. Â
"The legacy I want to leave behind is winning. Just getting that trophy. Louisville, who haven't won the ACC yet or a National Championship, so I want to leave the legacy behind that the past has done it before. If you follow the system that is Louisville soccer, what embodies the player, the key values and the triangle of relentless effort, mental toughness, and selfless spirit, you can win ACC and National Championships," Schmitt said. "It starts with us, and we need to prove that it can be done. The culture here is different than anywhere else. Even if you leave, you're still a part of this program. Our alumni are still helping us, so it's one big family."Â
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter (@UofLmenssoccer) at http://twitter.com/uoflmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.
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Transitioning from striker to right midfield last season hindered his production, but the Arizona native never shied away from big moments. Despite his ability come through when it counts most, he remains humble and treats every game the same.Â
"They do excite me," Schmitt said. "People need to step up in big games, and I always look at that as an opportunity to be a leader and try to find those goals. But it's just another game. I don't look at it differently than any other."Â
The No. 12 Cardinals suffered their first defeat against No. 2 Wake Forest on Saturday night. Schmitt gave Louisville the lead with a looping header in the 16th minute. The Demon Deacons struggled to find answers to the Cardinals attack, but the momentum evaporated in less than a minute. Wake Forest equalized in the 35th minute, immediately after All-American Tim Kubel was sent off and added two more goals in the second half to win their sixth straight in the series, 3-1.Â
"It was hard for us," Schmitt said. "Of all the games we talked about at the beginning of the year, Wake Forest was one of them. We wanted to start the ACC with three points, but sometimes the calls don't go your way. We got the red card, we accept it. But now we just look past it, realize that it's in the past and know that we have a big opportunity against Syracuse this Friday. Now, it's putting more emphasis on this game, and it's a must-win for us."Â
There is no game Louisville doesn't treat as a must-win, but no team wants to start in the ACC 0-2. With the quality in the conference from top to bottom, losing two straight makes the rest of the conference schedule a tough climb. Â
The task is made more difficult with Kubel missing the trip to No. 7 Syracuse. But with the depth and talent Louisville has, Schmitt feels the team as a whole will have to work harder to replace the loss of the MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, with their play and leadership." Â
"It's a big opportunity for me to step up and take the leadership role. But you can't look for one person to replace Tim because he's such a great captain," said Schmitt. "Everyone is going to have to step up. We have to talk and communicate with one another and make sure everyone is doing what they're responsible for like getting forward, tracking back, and just being there for one another."Â
Over the summer, Schmitt returned home to Arizona to play club soccer at the PDL level for FC Tucson. He captained the side that finished 9-2-3 and won their fourth straight division title. Playing alongside other elite collegiate players prepared him to help the team go on another potential deep postseason run. Â
"Everything about FC Tucson is the reason why they are one of the top franchises in the PDL. It was a great experience. Being with the other top collegiate players helps you grow during the three months," Schmitt noted. "And John Pearlman is why people go out there. To be on the team and to train in Tucson, where the climate can get up to 110 degrees, helps you grow training wise. I think that was a major key, with the heat and the coach Pearlman, he helped us be a winning team."Â
Leaving the program better than it was is the main goal University of Louisville head coach Ken Lolla sets for his players. Everyone has their own vision of what they set to accomplish while at Louisville. Schmitt wants to deliver a NCAA National Championship to prove that being a part of Lolla's system breeds success. Â
"The legacy I want to leave behind is winning. Just getting that trophy. Louisville, who haven't won the ACC yet or a National Championship, so I want to leave the legacy behind that the past has done it before. If you follow the system that is Louisville soccer, what embodies the player, the key values and the triangle of relentless effort, mental toughness, and selfless spirit, you can win ACC and National Championships," Schmitt said. "It starts with us, and we need to prove that it can be done. The culture here is different than anywhere else. Even if you leave, you're still a part of this program. Our alumni are still helping us, so it's one big family."Â
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter (@UofLmenssoccer) at http://twitter.com/uoflmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.
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Players Mentioned
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