South Lakes' Fleger Will Play Division I Soccer

South Lakes High School girls soccer player Kirstie Fleger officially signed a letter of intent to play next year at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

Fleger held a signing ceremony at South Lakes on Wednesday. This is the third Seahawk to commit to play sports at Appalachian State. Last week, football players Darius Smith and Sean Price signed letters of intent to play football there.

South Lakes principal Bruce Butler says there is no official pipeline or anything.

"Just a convergence of the stars," he said.

Fleger said she was drawn to the school because of first-year coach Sarah Strickland, as well as the atmosphere on campus. Fleger actually verbally committed to the university last spring, before Smith and Price did.

"I am really close with both of them," she said. "I will definitely be at the football games."

Meanwhile, Smith, a wide receiver, defensive back  and kick returner, and Price, a wide receiver, have been playing football together since they were seven years old. Smith said they always talked about how great it would be to go to college together.

"Sean was recruited by some of the same schools," said Smith. "He was recruited by more schools, but he went down to App State and just fell in love."

Price says he was considering attending University of Massachusetts, but liked several things about Appalachian State better, including a stronger academic support program for football players.

"Darius and I wanted to go to college together," he said. "Having Kirstie go there too is an added bonus. Having two people you know already [on campus] will make starting college a lot better."