PHILADELPHIA – Known for its frigid temperatures conducive to ice hockey, Delta, British Columbia seems like an odd place for one to embrace the sport of lacrosse. However, that is exactly where it all started for La Salle's Savanna Smith, who has employed her passion for the sport to enhance its growth not only across Canada, but internationally as well.

With three older brothers, Smith found herself as just another one of the boys growing up, always engaged in a neighborhood game of some kind. Smith's brothers embraced lacrosse's budding popularity in Canada and Savanna fit right in.

“Growing up, we actually didn't have women's teams,” Smith said. “I played on an all-men's team and I was usually the only girl playing.”

Smith grew up playing box lacrosse, an indoor version of the game typically played on an ice hockey rink. It was not until Smith was 15 that she heard of field lacrosse and tried out for Team Canada at 16. She lasted until the final cuts.

Smith improved her skills throughout her prep career and was chosen to play on the U-19 British Columbia National Team in 2008. In addition to continuing her growth as a player, it was Smith's burning desire to help the sport she loved gain popularity among other girls in Canada.

“I wanted other girls to have a better opportunity to try out for that or for girls to come down to the [United] States and play lacrosse,” Smith said. “So, with the help of my mom and some other ladies I did a bunch of clinic and fun days.”

Smith's efforts spawned a league of over 300 girls, 12 of whom are now playing college lacrosse in the United States.

As one of Canada's most notable women's lacrosse players, Smith was selected to compete for the World Team this past summer, where she played a role in showcasing women's lacrosse before the Olympic Committee.

“The goal of the tournament was to promote women's lacrosse,” Smith said. “We're trying to get women's field [lacrosse] pushed into the Olympics.”

In a few short weeks, Smith garnered a trove of unforgettable experiences with her teammates from all ends of the earth.

“We did a different cheer every day in a different native language,” Smith said. “We ended up winning the tournament so it was a real fun experience playing with girls from all around the world.”

Smith enters her junior season as an Explorer excited for a new challenge. Having played attack her whole life, Smith volunteered to make the transition to goalie when the team needed a replacement. Of course, she credited her brothers.

“Because I've grown up with three older brothers, I haven't really been afraid of the ball,” Smith said. “The way I looked at it, she [head coach Candace Taglianetti Bossell] would never put me in net.”

She did, and Smith's confidence has soared.

“Savanna is extremely coachable and takes any and all advice we give her,” Taglianetti Bossell said. “She dedicates individual time to work on these skills.”
 
“Everyone keeps telling me how much better I'm getting,” Smith said. “So now, I'm a full-time goalkeeper, although sometimes I forget about it.”
 
Smith shared a story of how the team was hosting recruits and sharing their positions one-by-one. When it was her turn, Savanna proclaimed herself as an attacker; naturally, she had played there her whole life.
 
“Savanna, really? What have we been working on?” Taglianetti Bossell interjected with a chuckle.
 
“It's been a lot of work and I've been putting in a lot of extra time,” Smith said. “My coaches have been really helping me with it.”
 
Despite her zeal for to lacrosse, Smith is not a one-trick pony in the student-athlete intersection. The junior was named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll for the fall semester, excelling in La Salle's rigorous Integrated Business, Science, and Technology major.

Much like many of her student-athlete peers, Smith credits time management and priorities to her success on and off the field.

“You get really good at managing your time,” Smith said. “You just look at each thing as it comes along and you know that every time you do something you're getting yourself to where you want to be.”

Smith wants to be playing lacrosse, whether it be in a box, on a rink, as an attacker, or as a goalie. Her love for the sport is contagious and it does not go unnoticed.

“Overall she is a great kid who is passionate about the sport and her teammates,” Taglianetti Bossell said. 

I'm sure her brothers would agree.

The Explorers begin their season on Saturday when they host Mount St. Mary's at McCarthy Stadium at 1 PM.