All photos and videos courtesy of Arkansas Razorbacks Athletics.

BATH, N.Y. (WENY) - Just over a year ago, Keegan Smith was leading the Haverling girls' soccer team to its first-ever state championship. Now, she's representing the United States on the international stage. 

Smith has officially been named to the U.S. Under-19 Women's National Team, securing a spot on a highly competitive 20-player roster that includes just two goalkeepers. It's a dream come true for the young star, who has been on the radar of U.S. soccer scouts since her early teens. 

"My coach pulled me to the side and said, 'You want to see an email I got this morning?'" Smith recalled. "I was like, sure, and he shows me and I just...I don't think it's hit me yet, really. I've overcome so much, just in the past, it's tough mentally. I'm beyond proud of myself, and I can say that confidently and humbly. I look in the mirror and I'm like "you did that'".

Smith's journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable. After graduating from Haverling, she made an immediate impact as a freshman at the University of Arkansas, earning the starting goalkeeper role for the Razorbacks. Playing in a highly competitive SEC, she helped lead her team to a 16-2-3 overall record, with their season ending in a PK shootout loss to third-seeded Stanford in the NCAA Tournament's Round of 16. 

Despite the challenges of adjusting to Division I soccer, Smith embraced the opportunity.

"It definitely was not my expectation going into it, so I had to wrap my head around it kind of quickly", Smith said. "You earn the jersey, you don't just get it, you have to work for it, our preseasons it's tough. I just take it in sometimes it's like you think about all those young girls back home who dream of this someday. So honestly, throughout the season, I was like, I'm gonna do it for all those people back home."

Smith's stellar freshman campaign earned her national recognition--she was ranked third nationwide among all freshmen across all positions. Now, she's preparing for her next challenge as she joins Teams USA in Spain next week for a three-game tournament. The U-19 squad will open play against the Netherlands next Thursday in Alicante, ES.

While she's now making headlines at the national level, Smith's soccer journey started much closer to home. In November of 2023, she led Haverling to its first-ever state championship, scoring the only goal in the title game. Though she played forward in high school, she has been a goalkeeper for most of her career--something that has clearly paid off as she now represents to U.S. on the international stage. 

From a small-town in Section V to the starting goalkeeper of a Division I powerhouse--now earning a place on the national stage--Keegan Smith's journey is only beginning.