BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University soccer team continued to bolster its talent-laden 2013 recruiting class Monday as Briarwood Christian standout Sara Smeltzer officially signed a national letter-of-intent to play for the Bulldogs in the fall.
 
Smeltzer currently stars at Briarwood Christian High School and has already tallied 13 goals and six assists this season. Last year, the Birmingham native earned NSCAA All-America honors and was named the association's Player of the Year in Alabama. She also garnered NSCAA All-South Region accolades and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2012 All-Star Game.
 
The 2012 team captain and MVP at BCHS, Smeltzer finished last season's campaign with a jaw-dropping 35 goals and 26 assists.
 
Smeltzer led BCHS to the Alabama State championship as a true freshman in 2010 and finished the season with 21 goals and 10 assists. She was also named the MVP of the 2010 state championship game by the AHSAA. Additionally, Smeltzer received Birmingham All-Metro Tournament honors and was named the Shelby County Player of the Year in 2010.
 
In club play, Smeltzer competed for the prestigious Birmingham United Soccer Association and was named a Player-to-Watch by Top Drawer Soccer. She was also rated as a 4-star recruit by the organization and her club team was named the 11^th-ranked squad in the South Region.
 
Smeltzer proved to be a four-year participant in the Alabama Olympic Developmental Program and a Region Camp selection in both 2009 and 2010.
 
Off the field, Smeltzer is nearly as decorated as she is on the pitch. The 4-foot-6 forward currently owns a 4.4 grade-point average in Honors and AP courses and is a member of both the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Smeltzer also received the Presidential Service Award in both 2009-10 and 2012-13.
 
Prior to Smeltzer's signing Monday, Samford University soccer coach Todd Yelton earlier announced the addition of seven players to national letters-of-intent on Feb. 19, as the Bulldogs continued their string of stellar recruiting classes on both a regional and national level. Samford later added highly-touted goalkeeper Katie Peters on March 11.
 
In addition to Smeltzer, Samford's highly-touted 2013 recruiting class also consists of Anna Allen, Taylor Borman, Olivia Cole, Malcanisha Kelley, Katie Peters, Molly Pittman, Emily Praktish and Dale Steinagle. All eight of the aforementioned talented prep stars have already signed to play for the Bulldogs next season.
 
2013 Samford Soccer Recruiting Class
 
Player, Ht., Pos., Hometown, High School, Club Team
Anna Allen, 5-7, MF, Vestavia Hills, Ala., Vestavia Hills HS, Birmingham United SA 95 ECNL
Taylor Borman, 5-5, MF, Georgetown, Ky., Scott County HS, Javanon 95
Olivia Cole, 5-10, D, Orlando, Fla., The First Academy, Orlando City Youth 95 ECNL
Malcanisha Kelley, 5-10, F, Childersburg, Ala., Childersburg HS, Birmingham United SA 95 ECNL
Katie Peters, 5-9, GK, Greenfield, Ind., Greenfield Central HS, Carmel United Soccer Club 95 ECNL
Molly Pittman, 5-10, D, Carmel, Ind., Carmel HS, Carmel United 95 ECNL
Emily Praktish, 5-8, F, Greenville, S.C., Mauldin HS, CESA 95 ECNL
Sara Smeltzer, 5-6, F, Birmingham, Ala., Briarwood Christian HS, Birmingham United SA 95 ECNL
Dale Steinagle, 5-8, GK, Murfreesboro, Tenn., Seigel HS, Tennessee Soccer Club