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SAN FRANCISCO – Coming off a 2-0 shutout of Santa Clara in the conference opener, San Francisco men's soccer player Joshua Smith is profiled in the latest episode of USF's monthly cable television show, "Behind the Mask."

The redshirt senior defender from Kaiserslautern, Germany, tells the tale of coming to USF to play soccer for an institution with high standards, not only on the field but in developing the whole person. From working his way back to a starting role after a coaching change to coping with injury and returning to the pitch for his final season for the Green and Gold, Smith takes his role in the backfield seriously.

"Defending is important because it's the stronghold of the team," he says. "It's ruthless. It's aggressive. It's also calm and collected. Defenders, they have to have attacking qualities."

In addition to his role on the field as a defensive stalwart, Smith is taking advantage of his time at USF in developing into true role model and citizen of the world. The Joe Kuharich scholarship winner espouses what the head coach of the Dons' 1951 Undefeated, Untied and Uninvited football team required of his players – being dedicated, loyal and physically prepared. But along with that, Smith's dedication and loyalty to the University is evident.

"I chose to come to USF because I wanted to go somewhere where there was a high standard. I just want to be a part of a program where you want to win, you want to be the best. You want to do good in the community. You want to help others. You want to be a good student and USF embraces all of that."

The show takes viewers beyond the game and "Behind the Mask" of all USF's 15 varsity sports, and Smith's feature can be seen in the season three premier episode on Comcast SportsNet California. The episode which includes Josh's vignette will reair on Friday at 7 p.m., and again on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 3 p.m.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, CNSCA can typically be found on channel 698 for DirecTV customers, 438 on Dish, 412-01 on Hopper packages, 767 on U-Verse and 41 on most Comcast packages. Check local listing for your cable provider's station guide and additional air times and dates.