Class Three, An Inside Look: Eric Smith & BJ Mattheiss
9/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Sept. 26, 2014
The University of Michigan men's lacrosse team inked 14 student-athletes as members of the team's 2014 recruiting class last spring, and the group was ranked as the No. 19 recruiting class in the country by Inside Lacrosse.
MGoBlue.com will sit down with each incoming freshman on an individual basis as the full class is released.
Next up is defender Eric Smith, along with midfielder/attackman BJ Mattheiss.
Eric Smith • Defender • Dover, Mass./Taft School
On playing in the FIL World Championship for Team Sweden and the experience you gained ... "Being thrown into a team with no experience with them -- not playing with them before -- was kind of similar to what we just went through here. There were a lot of older guys on the team, being the new guy and learning how to play with that team as fast as you can, is what I'll take out of it."
On the most memorable moment playing in the FIL World Championship ... "Getting to know all the Swedes; they're all really good guys. I'm friends with the guys on Facebook to stay in touch. They're all really good guys, and I have some really good memories of hanging out with them."
On the most taxing memory from the experience ... "We had games every day, nine games in a row. Runs in the morning; we ran two miles every morning. We'd wake up at 7:30 a.m. and get back and stretch after the run. Just every day, for the two-and-a-half weeks we were there was continuous action."
On how playing other sports (football) helps with lacrosse ... "It definitely helps more being a physical defenseman, being able to throw the ball a little more and helps on defense as well, just being able to body up your attackman and being able to move him around ... that's what I got out of football."
On concepts taken out of Coach Broschart's defense ... "He's thrown a lot at me so far. Point number one: most important thing he's taught me so far is positioning, and how to approach your attackman. So far, it's been a lot to take in and really helpful."
On your older brother, who also plays lacrosse in college, and what he's taught you ... "He told me to get rid of the 'I'm just a freshman' mindset as quick as possible. It is important to be part of the team as quick as possible and have an impact that will help your team."
On choosing the University of Michigan ... "Ever since I heard the news that the University of Michigan would have Division I lacrosse I was very interested. I was fortunate enough for that to pan out for me. Here I am now and I'm really excited."
On how the team has bonded ... "So far it's been great. At the beginning we kind of had our groups, but now we seem to be tighter and that dorm life really helps too. We all live in the same area in the same dorm; we all hang out with each other there. It's really coming together."
BJ Mattheiss • Attack/Midfielder • Fallston, Md./St. Paul's School
On playing your experiences in the MIAA in Maryland and how playing at such a high level prepares you for college ... "Playing in the MIAA, day in and day out, was a great experience and I think it prepared me more than enough to play at the Division I level. I mean, I played against guys who were top guys, the best caliber in the country. Getting to play with those guys and against those guys really sharpened my skills and helped me to where I am today."
On the impact of playing with high level guys in an impressive team atmosphere ... "Playing at St. Paul's, there were a bunch of guys that were top All-Americans, Under Armour All-Americans, the best of the best. Being able to fly under the radar like that and try to make a name for myself in that matter really helped me have an impact at St. Paul's and have an impact on the game itself. I think being that way here and trying to fly under the radar might impact my game as well .. and that's exactly what I want to do here. I don't want to be top accolade guy; I want do what I can on the field to improve and help get better in any way I can."
On how playing other sports, impacts your game ... "Playing two different sports or three different sports in high school really allows you to be athletic and helps you focus on your athleticism. Soccer and basketball both taught me skills that lacrosse never did. Learning those skills in both soccer and basketball, I applied those skills to lacrosse."
On choosing the University of Michigan ... "I looked at a bunch of different schools throughout my recruiting process and when I came to Michigan, it really felt right at home. When I came on my first visit, the athletic atmosphere, the academic atmosphere it was a great balance of both. I thought that I would do the best here and have the greatest impact both on and off the field. That's why I chose Michigan."
On bonding with the rest of the team ... "The dorm life really helps a lot, and then having the team bonding activities that we've had and the off field activities that we've had. Just hanging out with the guys off the field really helps improve that chemistry on the field. You get to know players at different positions which will help your team succeed as a whole. I think that really helps enforce that team bonding and team chemistry."
On your main goal ... "My main goal is to have any impact on the team in any way that I can, whether that's playing midfield or attack, just to step on the field and have an impact."
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