Jess Smith brings pride off the field to those around her

Coming from a family of lacrosse players, women’s lacrosse goalie Jess Smith knows what it means to work for something larger than herself.

“My whole life, my whole family, my dad has played lacrosse,” Smith said. “[Hofstra women’s lacrosse head coach Shannon Smith] is actually my cousin, so all of my cousins played lacrosse, and it was kind of just following in their footsteps.”

In a post-match press conference, Shannon Smith reiterated the importance of “no-hero lacrosse” as the team came out on top over the University at Albany earlier this season. From putting in extra hours in the cage to strengthening the defense to volunteering on and off-campus, Jess Smith has shown time and time again how much dedicating herself to others means to her.

Averaging well over 10 saves per game so far this season, Smith noted the importance of every single minute she spent prepping for her 60 minutes in the cage on game days. Most notably, she reflected back on her teammates and coaches just as much as on her own efforts.

“I’m very hard on myself, [but my teammates are] always supportive on and off the field, and that’s what makes it not just about lacrosse,” Smith said. “We’re always there for each other and just making a difference together is really, I guess, my favorite part.”

To push forward day in and day out, Jess says that she draws inspiration from major sources in her personal life.

“I think my biggest inspiration is my sister. She just really shows me that anything is possible and anyone can change your mind. She really just makes me want to be a better person and do better things,” Smith said. “I go out on the lacrosse field and I play for her every day.”

On that note, Smith says that she keeps her teammates close to her heart and mind while everyone is working their hardest.

“Not everything’s perfect, there’s going to be times that I mess up, [but I know] the defense or the attack [team] is going to be there to pick me up, and if they’re having a rough game or a rough practice or something, I’m able to pick them up,” Smith said.

On the flip side, away from schoolwork and interning and being a goalie, Smith still does her absolute best to build a community with those around her.

“We get team dinners a lot. We do games and stuff, we love to make – a lot of girls like to make TikToks, so there’s always, like, TikToks going on,” Smith said.

On top of being a senior marketing major, Smith is the team leader for the women’s lacrosse involvement in SAAC, Hofstra’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

“It’s [aimed at] getting all athletes more involved in on-campus [activities] and making a difference besides the sports that they play,” Smith said. “This way, we’re helping the community [around us] and we’re getting involved in Hofstra. We’re not just athletes, we’re there to help others, too.”

“It’s, I would say, engraved in our culture,” Smith said. “We are a part of this school as much as anyone, and we know we [owe it] to make a difference not just on the lacrosse [field], and we want to be part of this community.”

The SAAC also hosts a number of volunteer and fundraising events, many of which Smith has taken part in.

“I would say [my favorite event was] gardening,” Smith said. “I think it was fun to see what [my teammates] can do and what they don’t know how to do and then helping each other.”

In addition to this leadership position, Smith also expressed pride in a marketing internship that she has in Queens, NY, where she’s explored more philanthropic pursuits.

“[My internship] actually just had a fundraiser for girls' sports and we raised $10,000,” Smith said, grinning ear to ear at the accomplishment. “It was great to bring something else to the table, and just really open their eyes to how much of an impact they have. It’s really inspiring to see that people want to help girls’ sports, and people want to get involved and [ensure that] girls get the recognition that guys do.”

This begs the question: how does one of the most important players of the team celebrate a win?

“Big dance party after in the locker room!” she said.

From dancing with her friends to cheering on the players that contribute to the goals, Smith is as much of a fan of her teammates as an actual fan would be.

“I think that’s a great experience that we all get to enjoy after a big win with our music and our dance circle,” Smith said.

Competitive sports aside, Smith’s favored way to recharge is to give back to those she loves.

“I love making phone calls to my family and my sister, my parents, and I think that kind of just resets me and [I] just realize that it’s not just about lacrosse,” she said. “There are other things in my life that are happening, so [it’s good to] just to slow down and really enjoy every moment of it.”

Above all else, Smith’s message to both herself and to younger girls in sports is one of calmness.

“Don’t stress out so much, it’s going to be okay,” she said. “Just go out there and play, don’t stress about the little things.”

Photo courtesy of Evan Bernstein/Hofstra Athletics