TWO JAGUAR SOCCER PLAYERS NAMED TO SCHOLAR ATHLETE ALL-REGION TEAM
KANSAS CITY, Kan. ? The National Soccer Coaches Association of America named University of South Alabama midfielder Michelle Leppert and goalkeeper Kelsie Langford to its NSCAA/Adidas College Women Scholar All-South Region Team. Langford and Leppert were two of only six Sun Belt Conference players named to the team.
“Kelsie and Michelle exemplify the meaning of student-athlete and I am proud of what both have accomplished on the field,” head coach Mike Varga said. “As proud as I am of both of them for what they have done on the field, I am more proud of how they balance their sport and academics.”
Leppert, a senior from Worthington, Ohio, had her best offensive year as a Jaguar in her final season. She recorded a team-high nine assist, third in the conference, and added two goals on the year. Leppert served as team captain in 2007 and was named to all-tournament teams at the Northwestern State Classic and Southeastern Louisiana University Tournament. She is an exercise science major and currently has a 3.39 grade point average.
“Michelle was in the top of the conference in assists this past year and has had a stellar career,” Varga added. “She has also overcome a very serious knee injury to become one of the top midfielders in the conference this past season.”
A three-year starter in goal, Langford started all 20 games between the post and finished with a 1.13 goals per game average. She recorded 134 saves on the season and had an 85.4 save percentage. With one year left to play, Langford will almost certainly leave South Alabama with almost every goalie record. She currently has the season save record (134), is one shutout away from tying the career shutout record and is only 10 saves away from the career save record. This season, she recorded five shutouts and now has 17 for her career. Langford was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week after the first week of October after recording a combined 27 saves against Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky. A junior from Fishers, Indiana, Langford is currently working towards a degree in Criminal Justice and has a 3.81 gpa.
“Kelsie has set numerous school records and will hold every goalkeeping record at USA after she graduates next year,” Varga noted.
Based in Kansas City, Kan., the NSCAA is the largest coaches' organization in the United States. Since its founding in 1941, it has grown to include more than 23,000 members who coach both genders at all levels of the sport. In addition to a national rankings program for colleges and high schools, the NSCAA offers an extensive recognition program that presents nearly 10,000 individual awards every year.
