Nov. 12, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford soccer player Heather Birdsell was named an honorable mention All-American on Monday as Top Drawer Soccer released its annual postseason awards. Birdsell helped lead the Bulldogs to a school-best 15-4-1 record this season.

A native of Plano, Texas, Birdsell is one of the most decorated players in Samford history. Last week, she earned First-Team All-OVC honors for the fourth-straight season and became only the second player in conference history to achieve the accomplishment.

Throughout her illustrious four-year career, Birdsell has also received third-team regional honors from both the NSCAA and Soccer Buzz. A three-time OVC Player of the Week, Birdsell ranks among Samford's all-time top-five in both goals and assists. She is also ranked in the top-10 in points and games played.

As a team, Samford remained at No. 14 in the Southeast Regional rankings Monday as the Bulldogs were recognized for a sixth-consecutive week by Soccer Buzz Magazine.

Samford has been victorious in 11 of its previous 13 matches and has outscored its opposition 43-15 this season. The Bulldogs' total of 43 goals in 2007 is a single-season record.

In this week's Southeast Regional rankings, 14 of the top 15 teams remained in the poll. Davidson was the only team to drop out of the top 15, while Kennesaw State returned to its previously vacated spot at No. 15.

North Carolina maintained the top spot in the standings, while Florida jumped three places to the No. 2 position. Florida State remained the third-ranked team in the region and Wake Forest and Georgia rounded out the top five.

South Carolina moved up one spot from No. 7 to No. 6, while Clemson, UCF, Duke and Charlotte rounded out the top 10. Miami dropped one spot to No. 11 in Monday's poll and UNC Greensboro, Auburn, Samford and Kennesaw State rounded out the top 15.

Three of Samford's four losses this season have come against regionally-ranked opponents. Earlier this year, the Bulldogs dropped hard-fought matches versus Auburn (#13), Miami (#11) and Indiana. Indiana is the sixth-ranked team in the Great Lakes Region.

Soccer Buzz Rankings
Southeast Region
Nov. 12, 2007

Rank, School, Record, Previous Rank
1. North Carolina, 17-3-1, No. 1
2. Florida, 16-4-2, No. 5
3. Florida State, 13-5-3, No. 3
4. Wake Forest, 12-6-3, No. 2
5. Georgia, 17-3-2, No. 4
6. South Carolina, 14-6-2, No. 7
7. Clemson, 9-5-5, No. 6
8. UCF, 14-4-3, No. 9
9. Duke, 8-5-6, No. 8
10. Charlotte, 16-4-1, No. 12
11. Miami, 9-6-5, No. 10
12. UNC Greensboro, 15-4-1, No. 11
13. Auburn, 11-6-2, No. 13
14. Samford, 15-4-1, No. 14
15. Kennesaw State, 17-3, RV