Soccer Recruiting Class Named Best In The OVC . . . Again
The Bulldogs have paced the OVC in recruiting all five years in the conference
April 26, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University soccer team's 2007 recruiting class was named the best in the Ohio Valley Conference by Soccer Buzz Magazine on Thursday as the publication officially released its annual rankings. The Bulldogs earned the honor for a fifth straight season.

Samford's incoming freshman class consisting of Lauren Cook, Leah Leppert, Lindsay Matern, Melissa Miller, Colette Nammour, Hilary Samuels, Kelly Shaffer and Sarah Wilkinson is arguably the Bulldogs' most talented group in school history.

The eight highly-touted prep athletes will continue Samford's streak of regionally-ranked recruiting classes.

Since joining the OVC in 2003, the Bulldogs have topped the conference in recruiting each season and have turned in four straight regionally-ranked classes.

The following is an excerpt from www.soccerbuzz.com about Samford's recruiting class.

"Make it out five out of five as Samford has once again brought in the supreme class in the league. The latest version comes from states around the South. Among the top signees are three midfielders all with ODP regional team experience. Lindsay Matern signs up after an all-state prep career in Florida and several club state titles with her Countryside Lightning squad. From club Challenge in south Texas comes Colette Nammour and in-stater Kelly Shaffer stays near home to strengthen the Bulldogs' middle.

"Two players who excelled in the Texas prep ranks head to Samford as Hillary Samuels and Sarah Wilkinson will give Coach (Todd) Yelton more offensive punch. Joining her Countryside teammate Matern is Melissa Miller, another Florida signee who was an all-state performer.

"Rounding out this latest top-ranked class is forward Leah Leppert from the Volunteer state who earned All-America status as a National Christian School athlete. Samford's class is not only the best in the OVC but this set ranks as the best-ever for this program as it lands just outside the Top 50 in the nation."

All four of Samford's most recent recruiting classes have been ranked among the top-20 teams in the talent-laden Southeast Region.

Last season, the Bulldogs' class earned a No. 18 ranking in the Southeast Region, while Soccer Buzz Magazine tabbed the Bulldogs' 2005 recruits as the No. 16-ranked squad. Samford's previous classes came in at No. 14 and No. 19 in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

This season's regional rankings are tentatively scheduled to be announced during the first week of June after the various magazines and web sites are able to evaluate each team's talent.

Samford finished the 2006 campaign with an 11-4-3 overall record and secured the OVC's regular-season title. The conference championship was the Bulldogs' fourth in a row.


2007 Soccer Buzz Magazine Recruiting Rankings

Ohio Valley Conference
1. Samford
2. Eastern Kentucky
3. Austin Peay
4. Eastern Illinois
5. Tennessee Tech
6. Morehead State
7. Jacksonville State
8. Southeast Missouri
9. Murray State
N/A Tennessee-Martin


2007 Samford Soccer Recruiting Class

Player, Pos., Hometown, High School, Club Team
Lauren Cook, F, Conyers, Ga., Heritage HS, Gwinnett Soccer Association Phoenix Red
Leah Leppert, F, Germantown, Tenn., Evangelical Christian School, Lady Dragons 89
Lindsay Matern, MF, Lakeland, Fla., Lakeland Christian HS, Countryside Lightning
Melissa Miller, D, Bradenton, Fla., Lakewood Ranch HS, Countryside Lightning
Colette Nammour, MF, Spring, Texas, Klein Oak HS, TSC Challenge
Hilary Samuels, MF, Carrolton, Texas, Creekview HS, D'Feeters Soccer Club
Kelly Shaffer, MF, Auburn, Ala., Auburn HS, Concorde Fire South 90 Elite
Sarah Wilkinson, F, Euless, Texas, Birdville HS, DFW Tejanos 89s