Hersey’s Smakowski, who ‘set the standard,’ is the 2026 Daily Herald Cook County All-Area soccer captain
There's a ceiling on the heights a team can reach if they are not protected at the back by an elite and fearless shot-stopper who excels in one-on-one situations and pressure-packed penalty saves.
Patryk Smakowski is all this, and more.
The Hersey senior is the captain of the Daily Herald’s 2026 Cook County All-Area boys soccer team.
Widely regarded as the best in the business, Smakowski earned all-state honors as well, two years after his brother Adrian was bestowed with the same honor when he led the Huskies to the 2024 state championship.
"I have to admit I was shocked when coach (Mike) Rusniak told me I would be the All-Area captain," said Smakowski.
"I figured when our season came to an end in our sectional final to Glenbrook South, the season was officially over.
"(This) makes the season end a little better for me."
Smakowski had a magnificent year to help Hersey win the MSL crown and a regional title with a sparkling 18-1-3 overall record.
"Patryk meant everything to us. He was the backbone of our defense, and his presence in the net gave our backline the confidence to play aggressive soccer (knowing) he would always be there for them," Rusniak said.
Smakowski would break his brother's single season record for shutouts with 13 while setting a record of his own by conceding just eight goals this fall, with a 0.39 goals against average.
That the affable Huskies keeper would rise up to become the player he's been is a story in itself.
"I was a field player my first two years of high school, but my brother felt I had the potential to be a pretty good keeper,“ Smakowski said. "(He) took me under his wing, we trained constantly, then in 2024 I was called up and sat on the bench while my brother helped Hersey win a state title."
Smakowski has incredible reaction skill and is able to go post-to-post in an instant while leveraging his 6-foot-2 frame to reach balls that seemed destined to end in the back of his net.
The two-year starter also has a strong mental edge in pressure situations with unmatched reflexes, which he's displayed in stopping several penalty kicks.
His positioning is first class as is his communication and technical skill on the ball, which allows him to provide inch-perfect balls to his teammates up field.
"Beyond his stats, Patryk set the standard for the way we train and compete, and the younger players in our program look up to him," Rusniak said.
Academics will take precedent now for Smakowski, who envisions a career perhaps as a paramedic, and taking classes in math, a favorite subject of his.
"Playing at Hersey and for coach Rusniak has been the best thing for me. He's big on us becoming a tight-knit family, which is something I really appreciate, and I know it has helped us to be a successful team," Smakowski said.