Madelyn Smith, a graduate of Marquette Catholic High in Alton, Illinois, and a standout at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, has turned a lifelong dream into a professional reality.
She now wears the jersey of FFC Turbine Potsdam, competing in the German Frauen‑Bundesliga 2, after a whirlwind move from the United States to Germany less than two months after graduating in May.
Recognition and Community Roots
Smith’s accolades include being named the 2021 Telegraph Girls Soccer Player of the Year, earning First‑Team All‑MVC honors, and receiving the State Farm MVC Good Neighbor Award for her academic and community contributions.
On the field she sees the central midfield position as a quarterback, orchestrating play and linking defense with attack. Off the field, she credits her longtime coach Brian Hoener for shaping her development and staying in touch despite the distance.
Adjusting to life in Germany has been smoother than expected; teammates from several countries welcome her, and she feels a deep connection to her soccer roots while continuing to grow as a player.
Smith expresses gratitude to everyone who has supported her journey, from family and friends to the institutions that shaped her, and looks forward to representing her roots on the international stage.