Soccer Welcomes 13 New Student-Athletes

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Razorback Soccer concluded National Signing Day on Wednesday by gaining 13 new student-athletes from across the country.

The talented and diverse group of student-athletes will join a soccer team that recently completed their most successful season in program history.

“We are really excited about this class,” head coach Colby Hale said. “Kristi Kiely, Mario Rincon, Nicole Urban and everyone have worked extremely hard and were integral in more ways than is possible to mention. First, I would like to thank our fantastic players, Jeff Long, Jon Fagg, Clayton Hamilton, Julie Cromer-Peoples, Chris Pohl, Marcus Sedberry, Rob Scott, Dr. Henry, Autumn Parker, Matt Summers, Alyssa Traxson, Michelle Glover, Robert Kisabeth, Tamesha Muse, Dr. Charles Small, Rodger Hunter, Kara Horsfall and all of our Razorback family for being the best Athletics department and family in the country!

When we are recruiting players, we look for the total package. We aren’t just looking for the best players, we are looking for the right players. In this class, we believe we found both in the same package. The players before them set an incredibly high standard, but this group has what it takes to continue our upward trajectory to become SEC and National Champions, as well as represent this great University in a fitting manner. This group has pace, athleticism, soccer savvy, mentality, toughness and character. Combined with our current group of returning players who have proven themselves over and over, we know that next year and the future is very bright.”

Alexis Bach
Goalkeeper
Lowville, N.Y. | Lowville Academy & Central School
Club Team: FC Stars of Massachusetts and Syracuse Development Academy

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Rated a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com
• Finished as the program all-time leader with 58 shutouts over her four-year career, good for seventh-most in New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) history
• Helped lead Lowville Academy to three straight Frontier League titles (2013-15)
• Lowville Academy ended her career on a 51-game unbeaten streak that started in 2013 and featured a mark of 47-0-4
• Posted 17 consecutive shutouts in 2016, good for the third-longest streak in NYSPHSAA history.
• Allowed just 19 goals over her four years, including just two as a senior (2016)
• Named the All-North Frontier League MVP following her senior season in which she posted a school record 17 shutouts
• Also named to the Section III Class B All-State first team, NSCAA Fall Girls High School All-East Region team and Class B All-Section III team in 2016
• Three-time Syracuse.com All-Central New York team (2014, 15, 16).
• Three-time Watertown Daily Times All-North honoree, highlighted by the first team as a junior (2015) and senior (2016)
• As a junior, she earned NYSSWA All-State Class B second team honors
• 2015 ECNL National Finals: TopDrawerSoccer.com ‘U16 Best XI’
• 2015 TopDrawerSoccer.com Fall State All-Stars, New York
• Standout basketball player and recently scored her 1,000^th career points as well as grabbing 1,000 rebounds

Academic Accolades/Awards:

• National Honor Society member
• Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors recipient
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal Scholarship
• Holds a Mastery in Math and Science
• High Honor Roll student for six years
• Recommended for advanced social studies, accelerated math and science

Also recruited by:

West Virginia, Rhode Island, Syracuse, Penn State, Bucknell, Villanova

Coach Hale on Bach:

“Alexis has world class size and athleticism. She strikes a ball well off the ground and from her hands. She covers a tremendous amount of the goal and has a winner’s mentality.  She has played in a National Championship game and was named TopDrawerSoccer.com’s Best XI for the week. She has tremendous presence and poise. She had 1,000 points and rebounds in Northern New York for basketball and is one of the most competitive players we’ve recruited.”

Why Bach selected Arkansas:

“When I came here on my first visit, the feeling I got from the campus, the students and the environment in general was great. I loved how spirited and supportive the school and sports were of each other and the school pride. Fayetteville had everything I wanted academically, and there was no better fit for me than the University of Arkansas.”

FC Stars of Mass ECNL coach Jason Dewhurst:

“Alexis is a fierce competitor. She raises the level of each and every one at training that she is involved in. Her dedication to move to the next level is always there to be seen. She is very well respected by everyone in the FC Stars club.”

Lowville head coach Leo Sammon:

“Alexis is one of the most competitive players I have coached in my 32-year career. Her attention to detail and ability to raise the level of her teammates has been second to none.”

Ansley Bunger
Midfield
Keller, Texas | Byron Nelson High School
Club Team: FC Dallas

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• 2016 National Elite Prep Showcase All-Tournament second team
• Recently became Byron Nelson High’s all-time scoring leader after earning her 52^nd career goal
• Qualified in top eight of 2016 playoffs with club team FC Dallas
• 2015 Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Class 6A All-State first team
• 2014 Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Class 6A All-State second team
• 2014 District 5-6A Offensive Most Valuable Player
• 2013 UIL Class 4A All-State Team

Academic Accolades/Awards:

• National Honor Society member
• Academic Honorable Mention

Also recruited by:

Baylor, Texas A&M, Oregon, Georgia

Coach Hale on Bunger:

“Ansley is a true left winger. She has size, pace and a tremendous left foot. She is the second leading goal scorer on one of the top teams in the country. She is a handful in and around the goal and plays box to box. She can play on both sides of the ball and she is a great fit for us on and off the field.”

Why Bunger selected Arkansas:

“Fayetteville is beautiful. It’s also semi-close to home and I love the University and the coaches.”

Byron Nelson High School head coach Philip Sawyer-Byron:

“Ansley is a special player that has had a huge impact on her high school team. She is a dynamic player that defenders struggle to contain. Not many players have the ability to finish like her and her speed cannot be matched by many.”

FC Dallas ECNL U18/U19 head coach Matt Grub:

“One of the nicest, ‘tough’ kids I know; an absolute monster athlete with a fantastic left. Truly a pleasure to coach!”

Caroline Campbell
Forward
Bryant, Arkansas | Bryant High School
Club Team: AR United

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Member of U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Olympic Development Program team
• 2015-16 USA Today Gatorade Arkansas Girls Soccer Player of the Year
• 2015-16 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year finalist
• Led Lady Hornets to the Arkansas Class 7A state tournament semifinals and a 20-1-1 record in 2016; concluded junior year with 105 goals and 36 assists
• Led Bryant High School to a Class 7A state championship in 2015 after finishing second in 2014
• Three-time Arkansas Class 7A first team All-State selection (2016, 15, 14)
• Named into 2015 7A All-Tournament team
• Three-time 7A All-State honoree (2014, 15, 16)
• Earned selection to 2014 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps sophomore/freshman team as well as first team selections in 2015 and 2016
• Three-time Arkansas state champions with club team AR United (2013-16)
• Region III Southern Regional Premier League team member (2014, 15, 16)

Academic Accolades/Awards:

• National Merit commended
• AP Scholar With Distinction

Also recruited by:

University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, OBU

Coach Hale on Campbell:

“To get the Arkansas Player of the Year is important for us. Caroline has a tremendous work ethic, good speed and a goal scorer’s nose. She is fearless and confident and represents everything we want to be about. She is even better as the level of play rises and we are glad she is staying home to play for the Razorbacks.”

Why Campbell selected Arkansas:

“Arkansas is my home state and the University has a great engineering and soccer program!”

Bryant High School coach Julie Long:

“Caroline works harder than any player I’ve coached in the past nine years. She has the most knowledge of the game and will continue to excel in this sport. She helped us get to the state finals last year; she is quick on the ball and is unselfish as well. She wants what is best for the team and takes no credit.”

Arkansas United Girls Green coach Jeff Trimble:

“Caroline has a great touch on the ball which enables her to attack both with her back to goal and off the dribble running at defenders. Her high skill level, combined with her exceptional quickness and speed make her extremely dangerous. Her best attribute is her attitude and respect for her teammates. It has been a joy to watch her play as well as coach her.”

Allie Dunn
Forward
Oak Ridge, Tennessee | Grace Christian Academy
Club Team: FC Alliance

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Finished as Tennessee’s all-time single-season goals scored leader with 76 in 2016
• Dunn’s 215 goals scored during her four-year career also tied a state record, equaling Brenna Evilcizer’s mark set from 2007-11
• Scored 52 goals and 19 assists during her freshman year, 54 goals and 14 assists as a sophomore and 33 goals during her junior year despite missing three weeks due to injury
• Two-time Tennessee Sports Writers Association Girls’ Soccer All-State team honoree in 2015 (Class AAA) and 2016 (Class A-AA)
• Named District and Region Offensive Player of the Year in 2015
• Three-time All-District and All-Region first team honoree (2013, 14, 15)
• Two-time District MVP at Grace Christian (2013, 16)
• Second-highest scorer in 2015 Region III 15UG Championships with FC Alliance
• Two-time Disney Soccer Showcase champion with FC Alliance (2015, 16)
• Invited to U.S. Soccer Training Center

Also recruited by:

Cincinnati, Lee, Liberty, Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Western Carolina

Coach Hale on Dunn:

“Allie holds the all-time single season goal scoring record in Tennessee. She is fantastic on the dribble, she’s lightning quick and wants to get to goal. She has great balance, and despite being heavily marked by opponents, she finds ways to score goals. She can do a lot of the small things that help her team win, but she is one of the best goal scorers in the 2017 class.”

Why Dunn selected Arkansas:

“I loved the campus from the first time I visited. It had a friendly atmosphere for a big school. But mostly, I really loved the soccer team, the coaches and the program. It felt like a family and I knew I would be challenged and pushed to be a better soccer player. I just wanted to be a part of that amazing program and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Grace Christian Academy head coach Donnie Green:

“It has been an honor to coach Allie during the past four years and to see her grow and mature on the soccer field. I would like to describe Allie as one of the smartest and talented female student-athletes that I’ve ever coached. She was a four-year starter as well as a three-year captain. With all of the school and state scoring records that she has broken, she is still one of the most unselfish players that I have ever coached. Allie is a team player and exceptional leader on and off the field. She excels not only on the field, but in the classroom as well. She is the complete package.”

FC Alliance Girls’ Director of Coaching Josh Gray:

“Allie Dunn is a very efficient goal scorer and a crafty distributor of the ball, but what stands out to me is that she’s a great person and teammate. Allie will fit in well at Arkansas as character and ability are equally valued by the great coaching staff.”

Alli Gardner
Midfield
Southlake, Texas | Carroll Senior High School
Club Team: Dallas Texans

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Rated a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com
• Named into TopDrawerSoccer.com’s 2015 Winter All-Region state team
• Two-time National Elite Prep Showcase (NEPS) All-Tournament first team honoree (2015, 16)
• Named into TopDrawerSoccer.com’s 2016 NEPS player watchlist
• First team selection in Texas Association of Soccer Coaches (TASCO) Girls Soccer All-State 6A in 2015-16
• Honorable mention selection in TASCO Girls Soccer All-Region I 6A in 2014-15
• Three-time University Interscholastic League (UIL) Girls Soccer All-District honoree (7-6A first team selection in 2015-16 and 4-5A first team 2013-14, 7-6A second team selection and Utility MVP in 2014-15)
• Named into Fort Worth Star-Telegram 2015 Super Team

Academic Accolades/Awards:

• 2014-2016 Academic All-District honoree

Also recruited by:

Baylor, Texas A&M, TCU

Coach Hale on Gardner:

“The sky is the limit for Alli. She has athletic qualities that allow her to play any of the central midfield positions. She covers ground, has tremendous vision and can play any pass with any surface. She is dominant in the air and brings great leadership and mentality. We believe she is the best six in the country in the 2017 class and we are excited she chose Arkansas!”

Why Gardner selected Arkansas:

“I chose Arkansas because of the beautiful campus, positive environment and phenomenal women’s soccer coaching staff.”

Carroll Senior High School head coach Matt Colvin:

“Noticeably, Alli is able to dominate games with her physical abilities. What goes unnoticed is her technique and the strength to be able to link both the back line to the midfield and the midfield to the front runners. She is exceptional at the No. 6 position but can push higher and be effective in the final third with her ability to finish.”

Dallas Texans ECNL U18/U19 head coach Leo Marik:

“On the field Alli gives us everything on both sides of the game defending and attacking. She’s very smart by reading the game and winning the ball. I love her aggressive style of play. She’s also one of the best players heading the ball. She can win the header everywhere, as she is famous for scoring goals from set pieces. Alli is the real deal!”

Parker Goins
Forward
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma | Union High School
Club Team: TSC Hurricane

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Four-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com
• Ranked the No. 26 player in the nation according to IMG Academy, as well as the No. 2 South region player and the No. 12 forward
• One of three high school athletes selected to participate in the U.S. team camp prior to the 2018 FIFA U-20 World Cup
• Missed half of her junior season (2016) due to playing with the U.S. Under-18 squad
• Traveled to Spain with the U-18 team and delivered the assist on the game-winner against England
• Two-time (2015 & 2016) NSCAA All-American and the only Oklahoman selected to the team her sophomore year (2015)
• Named the Gatorade Oklahoma Girls Soccer Player of the Year and the Jim Thorpe Female Player of the Year following her junior season
• Scored two goals and had one assist in a win over Owasso in the 2016 Oklahoma Class 6A state championship game
• Helped lead Union HS to a 19-0 record in 2016, marking its second straight unbeaten season
• Played with fellow signee Taylor Malham
• Scored 10 goals and added eight assists in 2015
• Three-time Tulsa World All-Metro first team selection
• Scored 17 goals a sophomore to lead Union HS to a 17-0 record, Class 6A championship and No. 1 spot in the TopDrawerSoccer.com rankings
• Led TSC Hurricane in scoring for three years
• Two-time leading scorer in the Texas Conference
• MVP of multiple ECNL matches

Also recruited by:

North Carolina, Florida State, Virginia, Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, ORU, SMU, TCU, Texas, Tennessee, Texas A&M, TU, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech

Academic Accolades/Awards:

• Distinguished Graduate
• Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for four years

Coach Hale on Goins:

“Parker is an athletic goal scorer who has proven herself at the high school, club and national team levels. She has world class acceleration off the dribble and can finish with both her feet or head. She can play any of the attacking positions and her experience on the international level will help her transition. She is one of the top forwards in the country and we are glad she will be a Razorback.”

Why Goins selected Arkansas:

“I love the atmosphere, coaches and the campus. It’s also close to home and I get to play with three of my ECNL teammates.”

Union High School head coach Brian Elliott:

“Tulsa Union High School has a rich history of athletes that are not only talented, but live a high standard of excellence both on and off the playing field. Parker is at the top of the list. She has raised the bar so high in our program that I’m not sure any team following her and her teammates will ever reach it.”

Tulsa Soccer Club ECNL 99 head coach Kerry Shubert:

“Parker is the most talented forward to ever come out of Oklahoma. She has world class speed and is very technical as well. She is one of the best goal scorers I’ve ever seen. She will do great at Arkansas and it was truly an honor to coach her.”

Rachel Harris
Goalkeeper
Huntington Beach, California | Huntington Beach High School
Club Team: Slammers FC

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Participated in the U.S. Soccer 2015 Player Development Program (PDP) Id2 Invite in Aliso Viejo, California
• Earned first place in 2014 Cordial Cup playing for Strikers International team in Tyrol, Austria. Competed against top women’s European teams from Spain, Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland
• Two-sport student-athlete; plays basketball in addition to serving as Huntington Beach Oilers varsity soccer team captain
• Two-time, back-to-back Sunset League champion (2015, 16) as well as 2016 Mater Dei Premier Invitational finalist
• Also led team to a quarterfinals appearance in the Excalibur Tournament and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Division I playoffs in 2016
• Selected to 2014 All-Excalibur team
• 2014 HB All-Turf Tournament champion and named Tournament MVP
• Earned All-Sunset League Defensive MVP and named Defensive Player of the Year for 2015-16 season
• Finished in top five in goals against and goals against average during 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons
• Four-time MaxPreps Player of the Game honoree (2015: Dec. 4 and 12, 2016: Jan. 18 and Feb. 4)
• Earned 1,981 minutes in goal for the Huntington Beach Oilers with 188 saves, 4.3 saves per game, five shutouts, 17 goals against and 0.7 goals against average
• Won 2015-16 ECNL Club championship with Slammers FC
• Finished with lowest goals against in ECNL GU16 during 2014-15 as well as ECNL GU17 in 2015-16

Also recruited by:

Oregon, Texas, UCLA, Mizzou, Navy, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Utah

Coach Hale on Harris:

“Rachel plays for one of the top clubs in Southern California. She has great instincts, quickness and is tremendous with her feet. She has that ‘it’ factor you look for in a great goalkeeper. She can make that game-winning save but brings the maturity and consistency to do all of the simple things well. She plays with a swagger and confidence that make everyone in front of her believe she has it covered.”

Why Harris selected Arkansas:

“I fell in love with the beautiful campus and what it had to offer both on the soccer field and in the classroom. You know that you will be successful as a student with all the academic support that is offered. The college atmosphere in Fayetteville is great. I could see myself going there even if I wasn’t playing soccer. When I met the coaches and the girls on the team, I knew Arkansas is where I belonged.”

Huntington Beach High School girls’ basketball head coach Russ McClurg:

“Rachel is one of the most prolific athletes to play both basketball and soccer for HBHS. I have had the privilege to coach Rachel in basketball these four years and I’ve seen how quickly she has developed in a very vital role for our team. Rachel is that young lady whom all coaches love to coach!”

Slammers FC ECNL head coach Ziad Khoury:

“Rachel has proven herself as one of the top goalkeepers in the nation this year. Her commitment and hard work is one of the best that I’ve seen in Slammers FC program history. I have no doubt that she will carry that work rate and commitment to excellence to her new home at the University of Arkansas.”

Taylor Malham
Midfield
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma | Union High School
Club Team: TSC Hurricane

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Rated a three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com
• Ranked the No. 88 player in the nation by IMG Academy as well as the No. 35 midfielder
• One of just 24 players selected to participate in the U.S. Under-17 National Team camp in December 2015
• Participated in the Nike National Camp, U.S. National Camp, U.S. Soccer Player Development Program and id2 National Identification and Development Program
• Has helped lead Union High School to back-to-back Oklahoma Class 6A state titles and the No. 1 spot in the TopDrawerSoccer.com national ranking as a sophomore (2015) and junior (2016) with a combined record of 36-0
• Four-year starter in soccer at Union High School
• Two-time TopDrawerSoccer.com national champions (2015, 16)
• 2016 NSCAA national champions, 2016 NSCAA All-Region
• 2016 Gatorade Player of the Year runner-up
• Won Texas Conference in 2016 with TSC Hurricane, leading the club team in goals and assists
• Finished fourth in the conference in scoring and second in assists
• Played with fellow signees Parker Goins, Nayeli Perez and Haley Van Fossen
• Led Union HS with 49 points on 15 goals and 19 assists as a junior in 2016 and earned Team MVP honors
• Scored the insurance goal to help Union HS seal its second-straight Class 6A state title (2016)
• Earned a spot on the Tulsa World All-Metro first team in 2016
• Named to the Tulsa Area All-VYPE team and Tulsa World All-Metro honorable mention following her sophomore season in which she scored 11 goals
• Four-year starter for Union High School in basketball, currently averaging 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.1 steals per game

Also recruited by:

Baylor, Texas, TCU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa

Academic Accolades/Awards:

• Athletic Director’s Honor Roll
• National Honor Society member

Coach Hale on Malham:

“Taylor is a bigtime athlete with savvy and tremendous production. She is one of the top PG’s in Oklahoma and has been part of U.S. National team camps as a soccer player. She is a versatile attacking player that can change a game with pace or savvy. She is a world class player and we expect big things from Taylor at Arkansas.”

Why Malham selected Arkansas:

“Arkansas met all of my needs. It’s close to home, it’s a great campus with amazing facilities and coaches. It also has great coaches and some of my closest friends will be my teammates.”

Union High School head coach Brian Elliott:

“Taylor Malham has a motor that never stops and a competitive streak that drives her to success in everything she does. Family, academics, faith, athletics and everything else she does is done with excellence. She and her class of 2017 teammates will leave a legacy at Union like no other.”

Tulsa Soccer Club ECNL 99 head coach Kerry Shubert:

“Taylor is the hardest working player on our team. Her practice habits and team leadership make her a very special player. She is truly the MVP of our team and we wouldn’t be nearly as successful without her. She will make a fantastic college player and it was a honor to coach her. Her speed and one-on-one skills are one of the best I’ve ever been around.”

Abigail Neece
Midfield
Argyle, Texas | Argyle High School
Club Team: D’Feeters ECNL

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Three-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer.com
• Named to 2016 TopDrawerSoccer.com TeamSnap Winter State All-Stars team
• Scored 41 goals during her junior year for an Argyle High School team that reached the 4A Region I quarterfinals
• 2015 Dallas Morning News All-Region honorable mention
• Two-time 5A All-District first team selection (2015, 16)
• VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth Girls Player of the Year award nominee for 2015-16 season
• Sister of Razorback defender Hannah Neece

Also recruited by:

TCU, Alabama

Why Neece selected Arkansas:

“I’ve always loved Arkansas and when I visited, I loved it even more.”

Coach Hale on Neece:

“Abbi has so many tools at her disposal. She has good speed, great feet and is versatile enough to play any position on the field. She is the sister of upcoming senior Hannah Neece and her family lives and breathes Razorback cardinal red. We are glad she is choosing to continue the long line of Razorback lineage.”

Argyle High School head coach Marc Koke:

“Abbi is an ideal student-athlete. She works hard in the classroom and on the field. She is one of the top soccer players in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. In a school of very high achieving students, Abbi is one of the leaders. She is very well thought of by her peers. Abbi was on our Homecoming Court and was elected team captain as a junior and senior on the soccer team. We will miss her when she graduates, but she is definitely going to do great things at the University of Arkansas.”

D’Feeters Soccer Club ECNL U18/U19 head coach Randy Shaw:

“Abbi is a technical and dynamic player. Her understanding of the game allows her to impact the match from multiple positions on the field. Her control in tight spaces and burst in her first few steps makes her a difficult match up for the opposition, as seen by her consistent production of goals and assists throughout each season.”

Carsen Parker
Defense
Cumming, Georgia | West Forsyth High School
Club Team: Atlanta Fire United, United Futbol Academy

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Had team-best 10 goals and anchored defense while leading West Forsyth to its first Class AAAAAA state championship appearance in school history in 2016
• 2015 Forsyth County News All-County first team selection
• 2015-16 Forsyth County News Girls Soccer Player of the Year
• 2015-16 West Forsyth High School Athlete of the Year
• Also played point guard for West Forsyth girls’ basketball; helped lead team to its best year during 2015-16 season with a region title, a 25-7 record and a run to the Class 6A playoffs final four
• 2016-17 Atlanta Fire United team captain
• Two-time United Futbol Academy team captain (2014-15, 2015-16)
• Won 2016 U.S. Youth Soccer Georgia State Cup Championship with UFA in addition to reaching region semifinals
• Played with fellow Arkansas signee Brooke Pirkle

Academic Accolades/Awards:

• Academic Letter 4.0 GPA

Also recruited by:

Florida State, Fordham, George Washington, Troy

Coach Hale on Parker:

“Carsen is a strong, steady defender who has tremendous passing range. She is strong, smart and can strike a ball well over distance. She has great presence and composure in the back and has everything we look for in a defender.”

Why Parker selected Arkansas:

“I fell in love with Arkansas when I went on my visit. The campus is beautiful, the coaching staff is awesome and so are all of the current players. It’s also something new to look forward to since it’s very far from Atlanta. I’ve always dreamed of playing Division I soccer in the SEC so when I got this opportunity, I was overjoyed. The academics at Arkansas and all of the resources available to student-athletes also had me very impressed and led to my confident decision in choosing the University of Arkansas.”

West Forsyth High School head coach Jason Bayush:

“Every time Carsen steps on the field she expects to compete at the highest level. The level of intensity she brings to the field is a game changer and with that level she makes her team better. As a coach, it is a pleasure to watch her play.”

Atlanta Fire ECNL head coach Joe Tedesco:

“Carsen is one of the best defensive prospects in the Southeast. Carsen is an excellent defender with the ability to stop the best attacking players as she has excellent timing and athleticism to win possession of the ball. She has very strong technical skills and perhaps her best skill is her ability to be composed under pressure.  Carsen is a consistent performer who plays her very best in big games.”

Nayeli Perez
Forward/Midfield
Tulsa, Oklahoma | Jenks High School
Club Team: TSC Hurricane

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Rated the No. 142 player in the nation by IMG Academy as well as the No. 6 player in the South region and the No. 52 forward by TopDrawerSoccer.com
• Selected into 2016 ECNL Player Development Program in Dallas, Texas
• Reached quarterfinals with Jenks High School in 2016 Class 6A soccer state playoffs
• Selected into TopDrawerSoccer.com ‘Best XI’ list from 2016 ECNL Texas
• 2015 Tulsa World All-Metro girls’ soccer honorable mention selection
• Led Jenks High to 2014 Heart of America Tournament final
• Selected by TopDrawerSoccer.com into 2014 ECNL Phoenix Showcase Day 2 Top Players list
• Played with fellow Arkansas signees Taylor Malham, Parker Goins and Haley VanFossen in club soccer

Also recruited by:

Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Texas, TU, West Virginia, ORU, SMU

Coach Hale on Perez:

“Nayeli was one of the best soccer playing attacking players in the 2017 class. She is part of the three front from TSC that won the Texas League in ECNL. She brings savvy, sophistication and production. Nayeli will bring another piece to our attack that will make us very difficult to defend.”

Why Perez selected Arkansas:

“When I visited the university, it felt very comforting and I absolutely loved it there. Especially the people, the campus and the atmosphere.”

Jenks High School head coach Amanda Jo Johnson:

“Few people can score a hat trick in 2 minutes and 45 seconds, but Nayeli Perez is one of those people. One of the purest attackers to come through the program, her speed and flawless finishes make her one of the most feared players in the state. Nayeli is caring, genuine, funny and a player that lives and breathes the game of soccer. I know she will be successful at the next level and I can’t wait to watch her skills and her dance moves on the field at the University of Arkansas.”

Tulsa Soccer Club ECNL 99 head coach Kerry Shubert:

“Nayeli is a great finisher and very athletic. She has a high work ethic and very good in 1v1 situations going to goal. She’s one of the best goal scorers to ever come out of TSC Hurricane.”

Brooke Pirkle
Midfield
Cumming, Georgia | West Forsyth High School
Club Team: United Futbol Academy

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Participated in the U.S. Soccer Federation National Training Center from 2014-2016
• Georgia Olympic Development Program (2012-2014)
• Played with the Atlanta Silverbacks women’s semi-professional team from 2015-2016
• A four-year varsity starter with West Forsyth High, she led the school to its first Class AAAAAA state championship appearance in program history in 2016
• Three-time All-Region and All-County team selections during her freshman to junior years (2014, 15, 16)
• West Forsyth High MVP during her junior year (2016) and selected ‘Most Athletic Female’ during her senior year (2017)
• United Futbol Academy U12-U18 team captain
• Won 2016 U.S. Youth Soccer Georgia State Cup Championship with UFA; tournament runners-up in 2013 and 2014, and final four appearance in 2015
• Semifinalist at 2014 and 2016 Southern Regionals
• Played with fellow Arkansas signee Carsen Parker

Academic Accolades/Awards:

• 8 Honors GPA
• Advanced Placement classes

Coach Hale on Pirkle:

“Brooke has as much potential as any player in this group. She has tremendous size, athleticism and tremendous feet. She has creativity and savvy but also the ability to be dominant in the air and in the tackle. She is the kind of two-way player the modern game is moving to and we believe she will have a fantastic four years for us.”

Also recruited by:

Auburn, Florida State, Vanderbilt, Austin Peay, George Washington, Louisiana-Lafayette, Troy, West Georgia, West Virginia

Why Pirkle selected Arkansas:

“The University of Arkansas has the most enjoyable and inviting setting. It is similar to Georgia, which reminds me of home. As soon as I walked on campus, I knew I wanted to become a Razorback. After meeting the coaching staff and discussing their goals and accomplishments, I could definitely picture myself as a part of their program. Aside from the soccer elements of Arkansas, I am drawn to the breathtaking nature surrounding the campus, downtown Fayetteville and all the amenities the campus has to offer.”

West Forsyth High School head coach Jason Bayush:

“Brooke Pirkle is one of the most genuine people and athlete a coach could ask for. Brooke is always improving both on the field and in the classroom. She is a team leader who strives for the best and because she is genuine, she brings the best out of others which makes her the ultimate teammate. I am excited for Brooke and to see what the future brings.”

Atlanta Fire ECNL head coach Joe Tedesco:

“Brooke Pirkle is one of the most exciting prospects out of the state of Georgia. She is a center midfielder who has excellent ball striking, heading and passing skills. She is lethal on set pieces and can strike a great ball with both feet. Brooke has the ability to set up and score goals as well as the mobility and work rate to be an excellent asset in defense.”

Haley VanFossen
Defense
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma | Union High School
Club Team: Tulsa Soccer Club Hurricane

Athletic Accolades/Awards:

• Rated a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com
• Named into TopDrawerSoccer.com 2016 Girls IMG Academy 150 Player Pool
• Named into 2015 TopDrawerSoccer.com Spring High School State All-Star list
• Two-time undefeated Class 6A state champion with Union High School (2015, 16)
• Part of team that finished 2015-16 season 19-0 and ranked No. 1 in USA Today’s girls’ soccer rankings. Also included among 21 candidates in publication’s poll to select North America’s best high school sports team
• Three-time All-District largest classification in Oklahoma
• Club teammates with Parker Goins, Nayeli Perez and Taylor Malham

Academic Accolades/Awards:

• National Honor Society member
• Athletic Director Honor Roll
• Leadership Council

Also recruited by:

Clemson, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, TCU

Coach Hale on VanFossen:

“Haley comes from one of the top clubs and high schools in the country in TSC and Union HS. She is an athletic and tenacious defender with a tremendous mentality. She is comfortable on the ball and capable of playing any range of passes. She has won championships for both club and high school and brings that winners’ mentality with her to Arkansas.”

Why VanFossen selected Arkansas:

“When I visited campus, I was only 14, but something about it clicked, and I fell in love with the University. I visited in the fall so the campus was gorgeous!”

Union High School head coach Brian Elliott:

“Haley VanFossen is a quiet, humble leader, a four-year starter and the anchor of our team. If she is there, the job is done! She’s a tremendous defender that doesn’t get beat at one-on-one. Her standard of excellence is just not in the field of play, but also in the classroom.”

Tulsa Soccer Club ECNL 99 head coach Kerry Shubert:

“Vanny is a great center back and physically dominant. She is great in the air and very good at one-on-one. She is a gamer and doesn’t take off the field for important games. Her athleticism and mental toughness will be a great attribute to Arkansas. She was one of our best defenders and I’m looking forward to watching her in college.”