The crowd full of maroon and gold sits quietly and intensely watching the ice moments before the puck goes into the net. As it slides in the crowd immediately stands, hands fly in the air, screams can be heard from outside the Ridder Arena and are echoing along the walls and through the fans from the inside. Senior Sierra Smith just scored.

 Next year Smith will playing hockey at the University of Minnesota. She was the Golden Gophers 6th recruit. The team is in the Western Collegiate Athletic Association (WCAA) and the head coach is Brad Frost. The Gophers are known for their success and competitive team.

 She has been playing hockey ever since she was a little girl and cannot believe she was one of the chosen women for the team. She started playing hockey after the Dallas Stars won the Stanley cup. Her mom wanted her brother and Smith to start playing hockey after that moment.

Smith said, “I am super excited to play at the U of M next year, I can’t wait. I am honored and I think it is a great accomplishment for me and especially for the community.”

 Smith will continue to work as hard as possible shooting pucks everyday day after school and doing a summer program in order to keep improving for the team. Although she has been recruited for the team she still needs to surpass the current skill level she holds.

 Senior Emily Weigand said, “Sierra has always been a hard worker on and off the ice. I am so proud of her determination and focus. If anybody can handle the intensity of Division 1 hockey, it is Sierra. She will be a great addition to the team.”

 Right now Sierra does a post secondary enrollment option at the U of M, she is already comfortable with the area. Her teammates are excited to see her achieve the goal she has always wished get to.

 Senior Brinna Dochniak said, “I think that its going to be a great thing for her and it is really cool that she is already out there and taking classes there so it will be nice for her to stay consistent with that and just be at a school that she really likes and is close to home.”

The success has struck Smith and next year she will honor our community by having a spot on the team and playing for the U of M looking up at the maroon and gold in the stands.