Smith Named Forward to Watch by United Soccer Coaches
8/10/2026 11:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Senior Annika Smith has been tabbed as a Forward to Watch by the IWSOC and United Soccer Coaches as part of its NCAA Division I Players to Watch lists which are being released ahead of the start of the 2026 season.
Smith, who received an All-Big West Preseason Team nod last week, was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Third Team a year ago. As a junior in 2025, Smith buried seven goals and tallied four assists to finish fourth in the conference in points (18), becoming just the second Mustang in program history and the first in 12 years to be crowned the Big West Offensive Player of the Year.
The 2025 All-Big West First Team selection started in all 22 matches last season, racking up 1,557 total minutes and three game-winning goals, earning the primary assist on Jessie Halladay’s game-winning goal in the 89th minute of the Big West Championship match.
Entering the 2026 season, Smith has started in 31 consecutive matches for the Mustangs, appearing in 61 matches across her career, and recording 59 starts, 16 goals, seven assists and 94 shots across 3,830 minutes played.
Cal Poly women’s soccer officially open its 2026 season at 6 p.m. on Wednesday when they host UNLV at Spanos Stadium as part of a four-match homestand to begin the year. You can purchase tickets to the match HERE.
