Montreat College Head Womens Soccer Coach Don Maples announces the signing of Ellie Smith for the 2009-2010 season. Smith marks the ninth commitment for Montreat College women's soccer for the Fall 2009 season. 

Ellie Smith is a 5'6" mid-fielder/defender from Charlotte, NC. She is the daughter of Douglas and Connie Smith. She has two older siblings, Erin, 23, and Jake, 21. Ellie will be pursuing a degree in Outdoor Education and minor in Vocal Performance.

Ellie has been a four-year starter for Comenius School for Creative Learning, coached by David Geiger. Ellie also played volleyball for Comenius. She was named to the honor roll all four years of her high school career, won the World Literature Award as a junior and achieved straight A's her senior year, graduating with a cumulative 3.8 GPA.

Under coach Geiger, Ellie served as Team Captain her junior and senior years, was named All-Conference in 2009, and won the Coaches Award two years in a row, in 2008 and 2009. Coach Geiger says Ellie "Has great heart, real determination and is fearless. Ellie will work as hard as I can challenge her. Ellie's attitude will set the pace, as she is a natural leader. I have seen her play through pain and disappointing seasons and never lose her joy for the game. Even when we were mismatched, Ellie remained faithful to the goals of the team."

When asked why she chose Montreat College Ellie said "It was a God thing. I was always interested since I heard of Montreat my junior year. Outdoor Education is why I chose it initially. From what I have seen, I absolutely love it! It's small and personal and I really think that's such a great advantage to have at a college. I want to bring some positive attitude and energy to the team. I am so looking forward to getting better overall, and learning and growing as much as I possibly can in all aspects of the game."

Coach Maples says, "This is so much the Lord's plan. It has been such a path from where we began this journey to where we are now. I know in my heart Ellie is going to bring something so special to our squad. I felt this so strongly, and it's only been confirmed more and more, since our first contact, that I was missing something if we don't have Ellie as a Lady Cavalier. I mean this goes beyond the soccer aspects of it all for me. This young lady has such great character, works at everything she does to learn and be the best she can be. Her family is tremendous in their love of the Lord, in their support of their children, and Ellie is a reflection of parents who have instilled in her a solid and strong moral compass. Ellie can play the game. I believe that, but when you can add talent along with character, faith, and positive energy it's the best of what we want to be as a team, a college, and a community." In Coach Geiger's letter to me recommending Ellie he closed with this line: "I am supremely confident that she will indeed lift the team, the student body, and community at large and make all three better and more joyful."

Ellie lists John 3:30 as one of her favorite verses, "He must become greater, I must become less." Her favorite quote is by Emerson, "Do not follow where a path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

We welcome Ellie Smith and her family to Montreat College!