Scholar athletes from Bethlehem high schools dominated the 2012 Lehigh Valley Soccer Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet Sunday.

Winning the top female and male awards were Bridget M. Smith of Becahi and Alec J. Talsania of Moravian Academy.

Smith played at center midfield for the Becahi girls and recorded a remarkable 71 goals and 40 assists in her career. She is also outstanding in the classroom with a number-one ranking in her senior class of 208 students with a 4.15 GPA out of 4.

First-year coach at Becahi, Chris Bastidas commented that Smith, who holds the school record for most soccer goals, "controlled the tempo of the game with a counter-attacking style and was the best player in the air" for heading balls.

The daughter of Grace Crampsie-Smith and Ed Smith was selected to the Lehigh Valley Conference first-team twice and is a Wendy's High School Heisman winner. She also plays basketball at Becahi and club soccer with the Lehigh Valley Magic.

Smith is also a National Honor Society member and has been active in numerous clubs and organizations at Becahi. Her college aspirations include biochemistry and pre-med.

Talsania also anchored midfield in high school at Moravian Academy, was chosen to the Colonial League first team and was an all-state selection.

Moravian Academy coach Bob Hartman spoke highly of his key player after the boys soccer scholar athlete top award was presented.

"Alec is everything to Moravian Academy, a perfect example of both an athlete and a student," said Hartman, who reached the semifinals of District 11 this year and won the state championship last year. "He's the hardest working player I've ever coached."

Talsania is the seventh soccer player from Moravian Academy to earn the LV Soccer Scholar Athlete honor, scoring 18 goals in his senior year and 25 overall. He also plays club soccer for Lehigh Valley United.

The son of Dr. Jay and Diana Talsania of Fogelsville has a 3.9 GPA out of 4 and is active in Links School Service Club, student government and social council. Talsania also keeps fit with Moravian Academy track and cross country.

Talsania also has medical aspirations and is interested in following in the footsteps of his father, who is an orthopedic surgeon. He also plays adult club soccer.

The annual induction to the Lehigh Valley Soccer Hall of Fame was conducted by Frank D. Olszewski.

Anthony "Tony" Szalacha of Emmaus was recognized for his longtime involvement in local soccer.

Among his achievements are founder of the Harigari men's soccer club, officer in the Lehigh Valley Soccer League, Jeffs Soccer Club player, Canadian-American Friendship Soccer Tournament player for Lehigh Valley Team, and former Dieruff soccer coach.

Guest speaker Chris Branscome, CEO of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Assoc., urged the scholar athletes at the banquet to be the "leaders of tomorrow" by working hard on the soccer field and in the classroom. He also thanked their parents for supporting their children who need to "remember where you've come from" as they strive for success after completing their academic pursuits.

According to Gary Toth of Bethlehem, who heads up the LV Soccer Scholar Athlete Foundation committee, the inaugural combined boys and girls banquet was a success with more than 375 guests in attendance to recognize 77 scholar athletes from 41 high schools.

The prestigious LV Soccer Scholar Athlete awards banquet was moved to the Northampton Community Center this year to accommodate female and male scholar athletes together following the completion of the first fall season with both girls and boys high school soccer teams.