2007 Women's Soccer Releases

SMITH COMPLIMENTS ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT WITH ACADEMIC SUCCESS

CEDAR CITY, Utah – May 7 – Southern Utah women’s soccer athlete Ashley Smith (Crum) is used to competing at a high level, having accumulated national and conference awards during her four seasons with the Thunderbirds.  However, perhaps her greatest success as a student-athlete came as she was named as one of three valedictorians at Southern Utah University’s commencement exercises on Saturday.

The three-year captain donned her cap and gown having maintained a perfect 4.0 G.P.A. in athletic training to compliment her success on the soccer pitch.

Her academic achievements compliment her athletic success on the field with three academic all-Mid-Con honors, a first-team all-Mid-Con honor in 2004 and two academic all-district awards in 2005 and 2006.

Smith led the Thunderbirds in 2004 with 11 points on four goals and three assists and ended her career with five goals and six assists in 70 games with 64 starts.

"As a program, we are extremely proud of Ashley.  She has been a model student-athlete during her career here,” women’s soccer head coach Brian Stock said.  “She has represented our team very well on the field, on the campus and in the community and I appreciate her dedication.”

Smith was one of more than 30 student-athletes that participated in commencement exercises and one of ten that graduated with honors.