All-purpose Plainsman
Shenendehowa’s versatile junior Chris Schmid named boys soccer Player of the Year
In 2011, a serious knee injury forced Chris Schmid to miss his entire sophomore soccer season.
This fall, the Shenendehowa junior not only proved he had recovered, but stood out as one of the top players in Section II.
Schmid is the 2012 Saratogian boys soccer Player of the year. His return to high school soccer was a triumphant one as his nine goals, eight assists and all- around play helped the Plainsmen repeat as Suburban Council North Division Champions. He was also named a second team all- state player for large schools (Class AA and Class A).
“It’s nice to be recognized but I definitely couldn’t have done it without my team,” Schmid said of the award. “They were there supporting me throughout my entire recovery, it felt great to get back on the field with all of them. Without them there supporting me and pushing me through, I couldn’t have been where I am.”
The knee injury occurred in June, well before the 2011 season began. Schmid returned to the field in December and began to work himself into shape with his club team — New York Elite.
“Our big thing with him was not to come back too early,” said varsity coach Jon Bain. “He did not play at all until January. We were just more concerned he wasn’t rushing back into it. Even when he was ready we didn’t put him in game situations.
By the time Schmid arrived back at Shenendehowa for preseason Bain, the former JV coach had taken over for long- time coach Mike Campisi. The transition was an easy one according to Schmid.
“I’ve known him for most of my life, since I started playing soccer at the club level,” he said. “( Bain) and Campisi have a
similar playing style and coaching style so it wasn’t a hard adjustment.”
The on-field result was a similar possession- oriented style that allowed Shenendehowa’s skillful players to work open space down the flanks when they weren’t looking for early passes through the middle.
Schmid showcased his combination of skill and speed most often from his right- forward position atop coach Jon Bain’s 4-33 formation. The junior’s versatility, however, means he would often switch side or even drop into the midfield.
After clinching another league title, Schmid assisted on two secondhalf goals from Drew Lewis as Shenendehowa beat Colonie 3-0 to reach the Class AA semifinals.
“With Chris he’s a finisher,” Bain said. “You think you can keep him bottled up for a game and in the last few minutes he can create a goal or score on his own. As a (defense) he’s always somebody you have to be aware of.”
The Plainsmen had split the regular season series against the Silver War- riors and the third meeting was just as close with neither teams scoring through 110 minutes of regulation and overtime.
Niskayuna eventually won on penalty kicks to deny Shenendehowa a return trip to the Section II finals. Being denied a shot at the title has Schmid already thinking about next season.
“It feels good to come off a year like that to help us prepare for next year,” Schmid said. “Obviously I’m hoping for everything. We’ll just have to see what happens.”
With Schmid and other talented returners like sophomores Justin Rohrwasser, James Homan and Lewis, the Plainsmen have the pieces to make another run at a the Class AA title next year.
While his importance to Shenendehowa’s soccer team next year is certain, his college decision is still up in the air.
“This year is going to be an important year for me,” Schmid said. “This spring will decide where I can go, where I want to go. I’ll start e- mailing coaches as the year progresses.