At College:  Dartmouth's Smialek brothers face off in college

October 18, 2016

By Brendan Kurie, South Coast Today

From backyard route-running with dad to lining up on the same offensive line at Dartmouth High to facing off on either end of a kickoff in college, the Smialek brothers have a deep history on the football field.

Beyond being siblings from Dartmouth — Stephen a junior linebacker at Worcester State and Sean a freshman linebacker at Mass Maritime — the Smialeks have been teammates and opponents, and they realize how rare that is.

“It’s definitely a unique experience that not many people get,” said Stephen, who is third on the Lancers in tackles this season with 46. “To think that all the hard work the two of us put in culminated with us squaring off on a college field was special and not something to be taken for granted. It was an awesome experience.

That game was three weeks ago, when Mass Maritime won 32-14 despite a game-high 16 tackles from Stephen.

“He had a great game against us,” Sean said. “Even though he’s on the other team, it’s always good to see him do well. It was just definitely a fun experience. Very few people can say they got to face their brother in a collegiate sport.”

Both boys grew up in Dartmouth, the son of a former Indians and Mass Maritime football player. Stephen was two years ahead of Sean, but during Stephen’s senior year they spent a couple of games lined up beside each other on the offensive line, with Sean at center and Stephen at guard.

As Stephen embarked on his college search he wanted an affordable school with a strong business program and the chance to play football. He got all three at Worcester State.

“They key is finding a place where you’re really going to be comfortable and has all the accommodations,” he said. “When I came here, the coaching staff was really inviting and made me comfortable.”

Smialek spent his first two seasons playing mostly special teams as he adjusted to the collegiate game. He continued to practice at linebacker, where he had moved from defensive end as a junior at Dartmouth.

“From a physical standpoint you realize the game is a lot faster,” he said of the transition. “You’re essentially playing the best players you faced in high school, just all on one team. You have to realize you have to be patient and work hard at practice until you get opportunity.”

That opportunity arose this fall, when the Lancers’ starting middle linebacker went down with an injury and Stephen was inserted into the middle of Worcester State’s 3-3 stack defense. He responded immediately, and in just four games has accumulated 46 tackles and one interception, moving him up to third on the team in tackles.

“This year I had a good camp,” Stephen said. “My coach noticed that and an opportunity arose for me to play and I was able to take advantage of it and I’ve afforded myself a spot.”

His first start came against Worcester State — a mere three days after he found out he’d be starting — and he finished with seven tackles. He had 16 tackles his next game against Mass Maritime and Sean, then eight tackles and a pick in his third game and 15 tackles in his fourth game.

“I was fortunate enough to play well and run with the opportunity,” Stephen said. “At first, there’s definitely some nerves involved, but at the same time I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am. I was excited to get out there and contribute to a team effort.”

His interception came in Week 5 in the Lancers’ lone win of the season thus far, a 17-14 victory over Fitchburg State.

Playing from his “mike” linebacker spot as the Lancers went cover-4, he jumped an inside slant and returned the pick eight yards.

“I had an opportunity earlier in the game (for an interception) but wasn’t able to capitalize,” Stephen said. “As a team we always have the mentality to not put our head down after a mistake. Later in the game I had an opportunity to make a play.”

While Stephen has seen his playing time increase exponentially this year, Sean is working his way into playing time at Mass Maritime. He has five tackles and has played in five of the team’s six games.

“It’s a lot different than high school due to the fact you’re a one-position specialist,” Sean said. “That was a big transition. It was odd not getting any reps on the offensive side. I kind of enjoy it, though. It seems a little more laid back. You spend more time focusing on the mental aspects.”

Sean’s college choice, which originally included Holy Cross, the Naval Academy and the Coast Guard Academy, was whittled down to Mass Maritime thanks to its hands-on learning opportunities. He will also play lacrosse in the spring.

“I think the experience of learning is what brought me here,” he said. “The regimented lifestyle keeps you in check and makes sure you’re doing everything you’re supposed to. I looked at good schools I would have the chance at playing at, but the whole time I knew I could come here and play football and lacrosse.”

For now, they’re on teams on opposite ends of the win-loss spectrum. Worcester State is 1-5, while Mass Maritime is 4-2.

But when they lined up on Sept. 24, with Stephen on the kick return personnel grouping and Sean playing on the kickoff team, their grandfather in the stands with his Worcester State cap, the records didn’t matter.

It harkened to a backyard in Dartmouth, a decade ago, and two brothers running routes against each other.

FOOTBALL

Junior Charlie McKeeman (Bishop stang) had two catches for 10 yards for URI on Oct. 8. He has 14 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown in six games. ... Sophomore Jack McCabe (Dartmouth) made a tackle on Oct. 8 for Holy Cross. He has six tackles on the season. ... Junior Richie Phillips (Old Rochester) ran 20 times for 56 yards and a score on Oct. 8, then carried the ball 16 times for 65 yards and a score on Saturday for Mass. Maritime. He's run 121 times for 522 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year, adding 10 catches for 125 yards and another touchdown. ... Freshman Jacob Tavares (GNB Voc-Tech) made eight tackles, two for a loss, and added a six-yard sack for Mass. Maritime on Oct. 8. On Saturday, he had two tackles, giving him 20 on the season. ... Junior Joel Sodeinde (Dartmouth) had five tackles, one for a loss, plus a sack for Springfield on Oct. 8, then made two tackles on Saturday to give him 18 on the season. ... Senior Christian Braga (Fairhaven) made one tackle for Curry on Saturday. He has 26 tackles on the season.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Junior Meghan Bealka (Apponequet) notched two assists on Oct. 12 for Becker. She has one goal and eight assists on the year. ... Senior Hannah Bouvette (Old Rochester) scored her second goal of the year on Saturday for Regis. ... Junior Michaela Bouvette (Old Rochester) notched an assist for Regis on Oct. 7. She has three goals and one assist this season. ... Senior Kaitlyn Lima (New Bedford) had a goal and an assist for Curry on Monday. She has eight goals and five assists on the season. ... Senior Morgan Stott (Dartmouth) made 15 saves in three games, while allowing five goals, for Curry. She has 79 saves and a 1.62 goals against average in 15 games. ... Senior Kathryn Hiller (Dartmouth) scored the winning goal in the 99th minute for Providence College in a 1-0 victory over Creighton on Saturday. She has seven goals and one assist on the season. ... Junior Andrea Rego (Bishop Stang) recorded her second assist for Merrimack on Oct. 10. ... Junior Casey Meissner (Bishop Stang) notched a goal for Lasell on Oct. 10. She has three goals and an assist on the season. ... Junior Taylor Souza (New Bedford) recorded a hat trick for Nichols on Oct. 12, giving her eight goals and two assists for the season. ... Sophomore Taylor Canastra (Fairhaven) made 31 saves in three games for Southern Maine this week, while allowing nine goals. She has 113 saves and a 3.13 goals against average in 14 games. ... Freshman Abby Carchio (Apponequet) notched two assists on Oct. 11 for Brown, giving her one goal and two assists on the season.

MEN’S SOCCER

Sophomore Noah Martins (Dartmouth) scored for Wentworth on Saturday, his 11th goal of the year to go with six assists. ... Junior Ben Sylvia (Dartmouth) recorded an assist on Oct. 8 and scored a goal on Saturday for Curry. He has four goals and two assists this season. ... Junior Nick Paine (Dartmouth) recorded an assist for the University of New England on Saturday. He has two goals and an assist. ... Junior Mike Pruchnik (Old Rochester) recorded 21 saves in two games, including a career-high 12 on Oct. 10 for Mass. Maritime. He allowed two goals in those two games and has made 69 saves with a 1.39 goals against average in 13 games. ... Junior Kyle Soares (Old Colony) recorded his first assist of the year on Saturday for Newbury. ... Junior Ty Catunto (New Bedford) had one assist for Rhode Island College on Oct. 8. He has three goals and three assists. ... Freshman Nate Morgado (Dartmouth) made 15 saves in a complete-game shutout for Bridgewater State on Oct. 12. he has 44 saves and a 1.74 goals against average in seven games.

VOLLEYBALL

Senior Kay Mullen (Fairhaven) had 25 kills, nine digs and six digs in four matches this week for Eastern Connecticut. She's averaging 1.95 kills per set. ... Senior Kat Guillote (New Bedford) totaled six kills, 21 digs and a block on two matches for Simmons. She is averaging 1.03 kills per set. ... Sophomore Caleigh Davis (New Bedford) totaled 51 kills, 54 digs and 19 service aces in six matches this week for Worcester State. She had 14 kills and 19 digs on Oct. 11 against Westfield State. She's averaging .92 kills and 2.29 digs per set. ... Sophomore Katie Leidhold (Fairhaven) totaled 40 kills, 39 digs, five service aces and seven blocks in three matches for Franklin Pierce. She's averaging 3.61 kills and 3.57 digs per set. ... Sophomore Amanda LaCroix (Apponequet) had six kills, 27 assists, 11 service aces and nine digs in two matches this week for CCRI. She is averaging 2.82 kills, 4.75 digs and 1.0 assists per set.

FIELD HOCKEY

Junior Katie Frade (Dartmouth) scored four goals for Wheelock on Oct. 11 in a win over Bay Path. She has 15 goals and four assists on the season. ... Freshman Jacquelyn Legendre (Westport) scored in back-to-back games on Thursday and Saturday for Bridgewater State. She has three goals and one assist on the season. ... Sophomore Mya Lunn (Old Rochester) made nine saves while allowing seven goals in two games for Roger Williams. She has 70 saves and a 3.11 goals against average in 13 games.

CROSS COUNTRY

Junior Emma Robidoux (Fairhaven) finished 14th (22:46) for the University of New England during the James Earley Invitational on Oct 8. On Saturday, she was second (19:20) at the Western New England Invitational. ... Senior Paolo Tavares (New Bedford) finished 85th (26:17) for UMass at the New England Championships on Oct. 8. ... Freshman Kris Moore (Fairhaven) finished 348th (32:28) for Bridgewater State at the James Early Invitational on Oct. 8. He was 220th (31:28) in Saturday's Connecticut College Invite. ... Junior Liam Connors (GNB Voc-Tech) finished 208th (30:24) for Bridgewater State during the Connecticut College Invitational on Saturday. ... Freshman Zack Viera (GNB Voc-Tech) was 133rd (27:52) on Saturday for Bridgewater State after taking 132nd (28:14) on Oct. 8. ... Junior Beth McMeekin (Apponequet) was 263rd (26:44) for Westfield State at the James Early Invitational on Oct. 8. ... Freshman Paige Fehskens (Wareham) was 138th (19:46) for Bentley at the New England Championship on Oct. 8.

TENNIS

Jacquelyn Andrade (Bishop Stang) lost two matches at No. 2 singles and two matches at No. 1 doubles for Becker this week. She is 2-8 on the season at both spots. ... Kelsey DeGouveia (New Bedford) lost at No. 2 doubles for Wentworth and was losing a match at No. 6 singles that was left unfinished. She is 1-5 in singles play and 0-2 in doubles. ... Freshman Evan Russell (Wareham) lost 8-0 at No. 6 doubles on Oct. 7 for Regis. He is 2-1 on the season.