GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's soccer program announced on Wednesday that Lindsay Smith will join the program as an assistant coach. Smith will return to the University after having graduated with a degree in health education in 2002.

"I'm really excited about this opportunity for a number of reasons," Smith said. "One being I get to come back to my alma mater and contribute to the women's soccer program and help it grow. I'm also looking forward to working with Heather. I have a huge amount of respect for her and joining her staff is going to be a tremendous opportunity. We have the same vision and hopefully we can take the program even further."

Smith joins the program while serving as the the technical director of the Montana Rush Soccer Club, a role she has held since 2016. As the technical director, she founded the international travel program for the club while also concurrently serving as the director of the Montana Olympic Development program for Montana Youth Soccer.

Smith also brings some high school head coaching experience with her, as she has previously served as the head coach for both Charles M. Russell High School (1997-02) and Great Falls High School (2010-16).

"We are very excited to have Lindsay join our program," head coach Heather Blandford said. "She has experience at a variety of different levels and within the youth system. Her connections from a recruiting standpoint will make an immediate impact. Her experience both on and off the field are great, but what we are most excited about is who she is as a person. She is an amazing leader, mentor and role model. Having someone of Lindsay's caliber join our staff shows how bright the future is for the women's soccer program." 

Smith joined the program in the spring and was able to coach the team during their spring season. She used the opportunity to develop relationships with the players and worked with Blandford to create a five-year plan for the program.

"We have a lot of ideas going and we're on the same page," Smith said. "Getting to know the players has been a lot of fun. That's really what drew me in. Once you meet the players and get to know them a little bit more, you get invested in them pretty quick. I feel confident that the players and staff have the same vision for the direction of the program, and we are all committed to moving it forward."