Port Orchard native Brianna Smallidge played four seasons as goalkeeper on Seattle University's women's soccer team. She's now playing with the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League. (Photo Contributed)

SHARE Port Orchard's Brianna Smallidge (center) found herself on the Chicago Red Stars' game day roster in a game against Sky Blue FC on May 29, along with fellow National Women's Soccer League rookies Kassidy Brown (left) and Jannelle Flaws (right). (Photo Contributed) Port Orchard's Brianna Smallidge (top right) watches the action during a recent Chicago Red Stars' game against Sky Blue FC. (Photo Contributed) Port Orchard's Brianna Smallidge found this jersey hanging in her locker after being added to the Chicago Red Star's game day roster for the first time in a game against Sky Blue FC in May. (Photo Contributed) Brianna Smallidge is a 2012 South Kitsap High school graduate who played four seasons at Seattle University. (Photo Contributed)

By Jeff Graham of the Kitsap Sun

Brianna Smallidge left school to drive halfway across the country to apply for a job that wasn't guaranteed and wouldn't pay her a dime.

It could be the smartest, most courageous decision she ever makes.

"It's always a little bit scary, not knowing anyone," Smallidge said. "Not knowing what's going to happen."

Smallidge, a 2012 South Kitsap graduate who was born in Bremerton, has spent the past three months as a member of the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League. Smallidge began the season as the No. 3 goalkeeper after making the team out of training camp. She made one appearance on Chicago's game-day roster as a reserve two weeks ago and expects to fill the Red Stars' No. 2 goalkeeper role again later this summer when starter Alyssa Naeher is called away for U.S. national team duties in preparation for the Olympics.

Is this more than the 22-year-old could imagine? Not a chance.

"I've always known since I was a little kid I wanted to play professionally," Smallidge said without a hint of uncertainty.

The goalkeeper part of the equation became clear early. Smallidge first played the position at age 10 and it stuck. She enjoys the pressure that comes with the position and the role a goalkeeper can play in determining the outcome of a game.

"My dad always said it's hard to lose if you don't get scored on," Smallidge said.

Smallidge was a four-year varsity player and two-year starter at South Kitsap, helping the Wolves reach the state quarterfinals as a senior.

"She really grew in those four years in high school as a player," former South Kitsap soccer coach Julie Cain said.

Growing up convinced that she'd play at the University of Washington after high school, Smallidge surprised even herself when she visited Seattle University and made the decision to join the Redhawks instead of the Huskies. She grabbed the starting role as a freshman and kept it through her senior year.

Helping Seattle reach the second round of the NCAA tournament as a junior, Smallidge's senior season with the Redhawks proved to be her best as she allowed 14 goals in 20 games while making 75 saves and recording 13 shutouts.

Scott Newman, who served as Smallidge's goalkeeper coach at Seattle her final two seasons, said distribution is one area where Smallidge grew by leaps and bounds during her time in college. Communication is another.

"She was always good with stopping shots," Newman said. "Making saves, that doesn't separate you at the next level. ... If you want to play goalkeeper, you have to be a leader on the team. You have to communicate what you want."

As Smallidge closed in on finishing her degree in sport and exercise science in early spring, she faced a decision: try to break in with a NWSL team or finish up school and graduate.

She chose to chase her soccer career after going unselected in January's NWSL draft.

"There's only 40 draft picks and everyone already has a starting goalkeeper," said Smallidge, who plans to complete her college studies in the near future. "I entered the draft sort of knowing I'd have to find a team."

She attended tryouts in February with Chicago as well as the Seattle Reign and Houston Dash. When she received invitations to attend training camp with all three clubs in March, Smallidge had a decision to make.

"I had to pick one," she said. "It was definitely difficult."

Smallidge chose Chicago after talking with Red Stars coach Rory Dames, who convinced Smallidge she had a real shot to join the Red Stars as the No. 3 goalkeeper behind Naeher and backup keeper Michele Dalton.

"I came out here with it in my head that I'm going to work my butt off and have a great attitude and be a great teammate," said Smallidge, who drove across the country with her father, luggage in tow.

It was a leap of faith for Smallidge, who had nothing more than the coach's word of getting a fair shot at training camp.

"He could have sent me home after a day," Smallidge said.

Three months later, Smallidge is still with the Red Stars. She stays with a host family and works 25 hours a week at a dog kennel. As a rookie signed to an amateur contract with Chicago, she doesn't have the chance to earn any money — even if she plays.

Only 20 players on each NWSL team can be signed to a pro contract and paid. A player like Smallidge can still be called up onto the roster and dress for games, but until Chicago decides she's worthy of one of those 20 pro contracts, she's playing for experience only.

"I was an undrafted rookie goalkeeper," Smallidge said. "The way I see it, in my rookie year, you're excited to be there, you're getting to train every day, you're learning from some of the best in the world."

Getting to serve as Chicago's No. 2 goalkeeper for a day against Sky Blue FC on May 29 felt like a partial dream come true.

"I can't even describe it," Smallidge said. "Seeing my name on the back of a pro jersey was the best feeling so far."

Smallidge's ultimate goal, even more than earning a starting spot on a professional team, would be to represent the United States in competition.

"I'm going to keep doing this until I play with the national team," she said.

It sounds like a lofty goal for sure. But Smallidge sounded serious when she spoke those words.

"She's willing to dream," Cain said. "Not many kids are willing to dream like that."