Photo by: Jeremy Enlow
ACU Soccer to welcome eight newcomers for 2014 season
2/13/2014 12:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ABILENE, Texas - Abilene Christian head soccer coach Casey Wilson Wednesday announced that he and his coaching staff have added eight Texas high school recruits to the team's 2014 roster during the sport's early-signing period.
This incoming class is comprised of Megan Bear, Peyton Bucklew, Deonna Calhoun, Emily Duke, Chloe Fifer, Madison Goldston, Chantal Kinsey and Baylee Mitchell.
"The coaching staff and I are very excited about this new group coming in, because they all love soccer and love to compete," said Wilson who is in the middle of his seventh season as the Wildcats' head coach. "We just lost a great group of seniors who did a lot for this program over the past four years and will be hard to replace but these new additions have a tremendous amount of experience and should make the college transition pretty easily.
"Each of these girls have been around our program a lot over the past couple years observing how we like to play at ACU. We feel also that we have a lot of solid and experienced returners coming back to set a firm foundation. It should be exciting to see how we all blend in August."
Short bios of each of the eight recruits are listed in alphabetical order.
F/M Megan Baer (San Antonio, Texas / MacArthur HS / LoneStar Club San Antonio 96 Red)
Baer is a four-year letterwinner and team captain at MacArthur High School, which is currently the fourth-ranked team in San Antonio. Her three previous teams all went deep in the playoffs, including last year's squad that reached the third round.
As one of the leading scorers in the 26-5A district, Baer has twice received a spot on an all-district team and once was an honorable mention.
"Megan is very good on the ball and plays with excellent composure up front," said Wilson. "She is pretty dangerous around the perimeter getting shots off, so we're excited to add her to the mix."
An academic all-district and state honoree, Baer plans on studying communication disorders and speech pathology at ACU with hopes of becoming a speech therapist who works with special needs children.
D Peyton Bucklew (Denton, Texas / Guyer HS / D'Feeters ECNL)
A three-year varsity starter on defense, Bucklew was part of last year's team at Guyer High School that won the 2013 Division 4A State Championship. Her individual honors from last season's amazing run included spots on the all-district first team and state all-tournament team.
At the club level, Bucklew has been a team captain for D'Feeters of the Elite Clubs National League since 2006. In 2010-11 her team won the Premier League Championship and later reached the Region III finals. Bucklew also was part of a squad that won the 2007 State Cup and the 2010 Lake Highlands Classic League.
"Peyton is a talented and physical outside back with a strong leg," said Wilson. "She has played with a great D-Feeters club and we expect her to fit in well with our style of play."
In addition to playing soccer, Bucklew also ran cross country and track at Guyer and helped those teams win a pair of district titles in 2012 as she was both an individual and team regional qualifier.
Bucklew plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in social studies for teach certification at ACU and hopes to later become a high school teacher and coach.
Bucklew's older sister, Paige, has played soccer at North Texas since 2012.
F Deonna Calhoun (Midland, Texas / Midland Lee High School / FC Dallas West Texas 95)
Calhoun is wrapping up her successful career at Robert E. Lee High School, which included an all-district honorable mention citation. She also is a distinguished runner, winning a district championship in the 400-meter relay and qualifying for areas and regionals with the 400 and 800-meter relays.
"Deonna is a quick and feisty forward with a great work rate," said Wilson. "We expect good things from Deonna when she starts her career here this fall."
D Emily Duke (San Antonio, Texas / San Antonio Christian HS / San Antonio Classics Elite Soccer Academy '96)
A decorated three-time all-state selection, Duke has scored 55 goals over the past two seasons for San Antonio Christian while serving as its team captain. She recorded 33 goals during the 2012-13 season and 23 in 2012.
Duke's also made three all-area TAPPS teams and three consecutive all-district first teams.
As a club player for San Antonio Classics Elite Soccer Academy '96 since 2007, Duke's teams have participated at several USYS State Cups, reached the semifinals of the Dallas Texans Austin Invitational, took part in the 2011 and 2012 Texas Cup Showcase and won the 2012 Plano Labor Day Invitational.
"Emily is a smart and physical center back coming from a very competitive club program (Classics)," said Wilson. "She has a lot of potential and should develop nicely though our program."
Duke was an academic all-state selection in 2013 and plans to study kinesiology, nursing or nutrition at ACU.
M/F Chloe Fifer (McKinney, Texas / Boyd HS / FC Dallas U18 ECNL)
Fifer is a three-year letterwinner and all-district honoree at McKinney Boyd High School, which in 2012 won the bi-district championship and reached the Region II quarterfinals. The team has won two district titles in the past three seasons.
And as a member of FC Dallas U18 of the Elite Clubs National League, Fifer has been part of the ODP State Team Pool and received recognition from Top Drawer Soccer.
"Chloe is a competitor who comes from both a high level club and successful high school program," said Wilson. "She will hit the ground running at the Division I level in terms of her knowledge, fitness, and skill."
Fifer is an AP Scholar with Distinction who has received the Academic Achievement award at the end of each school year. She plans to major in education with hopes of becoming a high school teacher and soccer coach.
D Madison Goldston (Belton, Texas / Belton HS / Austin Texans)
A first team all-district selection and second team all-area honoree, Goldston has been part of some great teams at Belton High School over the past three seasons. After her 2011 team went 25-3-1, the 2012 team went 20-3-3 and her 2013 squad went 19-5-1.
"Madison is an athletic, fast, and relentless outside back," said Wilson. "We are excited to see what she will add to this to program in the fall."
Goldston is a member of her school's National Honor Society and currently ranks in the top six percent of her class. She plans on studying journalism at ACU.
Her father, Kevin, and mother, Kelly, played collegiate baseball and softball at the University of Central Oklahoma.
D Chantal Kinsey (Allen, Texas / Allen HS / Solar Chelsea Soccer Club ECNL 96)
A three-year team captain and two-time Most Valuable Defender at Allen High School, Kinsey recently was named to the all-district first team following the conclusion of the 2013 season. She also has been tabbed to the honorable all-district team in 2011 and was voted Most Inspirational in 2012.
As a club player for Solar Chelsea since 2011, Kinsey helped lead her team to the International Cup Championship in 2013 and third-place showing at the ECNL National Finals of the North American League. In 2012, she was part of a team that placed fourth at the Chicago National Tournament.
"Chantal is capable of playing anywhere on the field," said Wilson. "She is a great fit for our program on every level, and we think she will have a great career here at ACU. She's versatile and has a huge upside."
Kinsey also ran track (hurdles and relays) at Allen HS, and at the 2009 state meet placed first in the 1600-meter relay and second in the 300-meter hurdles.
For her work in the classroom, Kinsey - an honor roll member - received the 2013 Outstanding Student in Physics award. She plans to study business and pre-occupational therapy at ACU.
F/M Baylee Mitchell (Flower Mound, Texas / Marcus HS / D-Feeters ECNL 2011-2013 and FC Dallas ECNL 2013 - Present)
Mitchell has been playing high school soccer at Marcus for only two seasons, but in 2011 she was named Striker of the Year, and in 2012 and 2013 she was named to the all-district second team.
"Baylee comes to ACU after a solid background at the ECNL level the past number of years," said Wilson. "Baylee is capable of helping us immediately in some different areas as she is able to play multiple attacking positions."
Mitchell's older sister, Taylor, is part of the soccer team at Lamar University, and her father, James, played baseball at Cal State Northridge.
Mitchell plans to pursue a career in fashion or management at ACU. She is a member of her school's A/B honor Roll and served as student body secretary.
This incoming class is comprised of Megan Bear, Peyton Bucklew, Deonna Calhoun, Emily Duke, Chloe Fifer, Madison Goldston, Chantal Kinsey and Baylee Mitchell.
"The coaching staff and I are very excited about this new group coming in, because they all love soccer and love to compete," said Wilson who is in the middle of his seventh season as the Wildcats' head coach. "We just lost a great group of seniors who did a lot for this program over the past four years and will be hard to replace but these new additions have a tremendous amount of experience and should make the college transition pretty easily.
"Each of these girls have been around our program a lot over the past couple years observing how we like to play at ACU. We feel also that we have a lot of solid and experienced returners coming back to set a firm foundation. It should be exciting to see how we all blend in August."
Short bios of each of the eight recruits are listed in alphabetical order.
F/M Megan Baer (San Antonio, Texas / MacArthur HS / LoneStar Club San Antonio 96 Red)
Baer is a four-year letterwinner and team captain at MacArthur High School, which is currently the fourth-ranked team in San Antonio. Her three previous teams all went deep in the playoffs, including last year's squad that reached the third round.
As one of the leading scorers in the 26-5A district, Baer has twice received a spot on an all-district team and once was an honorable mention.
"Megan is very good on the ball and plays with excellent composure up front," said Wilson. "She is pretty dangerous around the perimeter getting shots off, so we're excited to add her to the mix."
An academic all-district and state honoree, Baer plans on studying communication disorders and speech pathology at ACU with hopes of becoming a speech therapist who works with special needs children.
D Peyton Bucklew (Denton, Texas / Guyer HS / D'Feeters ECNL)
A three-year varsity starter on defense, Bucklew was part of last year's team at Guyer High School that won the 2013 Division 4A State Championship. Her individual honors from last season's amazing run included spots on the all-district first team and state all-tournament team.
At the club level, Bucklew has been a team captain for D'Feeters of the Elite Clubs National League since 2006. In 2010-11 her team won the Premier League Championship and later reached the Region III finals. Bucklew also was part of a squad that won the 2007 State Cup and the 2010 Lake Highlands Classic League.
"Peyton is a talented and physical outside back with a strong leg," said Wilson. "She has played with a great D-Feeters club and we expect her to fit in well with our style of play."
In addition to playing soccer, Bucklew also ran cross country and track at Guyer and helped those teams win a pair of district titles in 2012 as she was both an individual and team regional qualifier.
Bucklew plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in social studies for teach certification at ACU and hopes to later become a high school teacher and coach.
Bucklew's older sister, Paige, has played soccer at North Texas since 2012.
F Deonna Calhoun (Midland, Texas / Midland Lee High School / FC Dallas West Texas 95)
Calhoun is wrapping up her successful career at Robert E. Lee High School, which included an all-district honorable mention citation. She also is a distinguished runner, winning a district championship in the 400-meter relay and qualifying for areas and regionals with the 400 and 800-meter relays.
"Deonna is a quick and feisty forward with a great work rate," said Wilson. "We expect good things from Deonna when she starts her career here this fall."
D Emily Duke (San Antonio, Texas / San Antonio Christian HS / San Antonio Classics Elite Soccer Academy '96)
A decorated three-time all-state selection, Duke has scored 55 goals over the past two seasons for San Antonio Christian while serving as its team captain. She recorded 33 goals during the 2012-13 season and 23 in 2012.
Duke's also made three all-area TAPPS teams and three consecutive all-district first teams.
As a club player for San Antonio Classics Elite Soccer Academy '96 since 2007, Duke's teams have participated at several USYS State Cups, reached the semifinals of the Dallas Texans Austin Invitational, took part in the 2011 and 2012 Texas Cup Showcase and won the 2012 Plano Labor Day Invitational.
"Emily is a smart and physical center back coming from a very competitive club program (Classics)," said Wilson. "She has a lot of potential and should develop nicely though our program."
Duke was an academic all-state selection in 2013 and plans to study kinesiology, nursing or nutrition at ACU.
M/F Chloe Fifer (McKinney, Texas / Boyd HS / FC Dallas U18 ECNL)
Fifer is a three-year letterwinner and all-district honoree at McKinney Boyd High School, which in 2012 won the bi-district championship and reached the Region II quarterfinals. The team has won two district titles in the past three seasons.
And as a member of FC Dallas U18 of the Elite Clubs National League, Fifer has been part of the ODP State Team Pool and received recognition from Top Drawer Soccer.
"Chloe is a competitor who comes from both a high level club and successful high school program," said Wilson. "She will hit the ground running at the Division I level in terms of her knowledge, fitness, and skill."
Fifer is an AP Scholar with Distinction who has received the Academic Achievement award at the end of each school year. She plans to major in education with hopes of becoming a high school teacher and soccer coach.
D Madison Goldston (Belton, Texas / Belton HS / Austin Texans)
A first team all-district selection and second team all-area honoree, Goldston has been part of some great teams at Belton High School over the past three seasons. After her 2011 team went 25-3-1, the 2012 team went 20-3-3 and her 2013 squad went 19-5-1.
"Madison is an athletic, fast, and relentless outside back," said Wilson. "We are excited to see what she will add to this to program in the fall."
Goldston is a member of her school's National Honor Society and currently ranks in the top six percent of her class. She plans on studying journalism at ACU.
Her father, Kevin, and mother, Kelly, played collegiate baseball and softball at the University of Central Oklahoma.
D Chantal Kinsey (Allen, Texas / Allen HS / Solar Chelsea Soccer Club ECNL 96)
A three-year team captain and two-time Most Valuable Defender at Allen High School, Kinsey recently was named to the all-district first team following the conclusion of the 2013 season. She also has been tabbed to the honorable all-district team in 2011 and was voted Most Inspirational in 2012.
As a club player for Solar Chelsea since 2011, Kinsey helped lead her team to the International Cup Championship in 2013 and third-place showing at the ECNL National Finals of the North American League. In 2012, she was part of a team that placed fourth at the Chicago National Tournament.
"Chantal is capable of playing anywhere on the field," said Wilson. "She is a great fit for our program on every level, and we think she will have a great career here at ACU. She's versatile and has a huge upside."
Kinsey also ran track (hurdles and relays) at Allen HS, and at the 2009 state meet placed first in the 1600-meter relay and second in the 300-meter hurdles.
For her work in the classroom, Kinsey - an honor roll member - received the 2013 Outstanding Student in Physics award. She plans to study business and pre-occupational therapy at ACU.
F/M Baylee Mitchell (Flower Mound, Texas / Marcus HS / D-Feeters ECNL 2011-2013 and FC Dallas ECNL 2013 - Present)
Mitchell has been playing high school soccer at Marcus for only two seasons, but in 2011 she was named Striker of the Year, and in 2012 and 2013 she was named to the all-district second team.
"Baylee comes to ACU after a solid background at the ECNL level the past number of years," said Wilson. "Baylee is capable of helping us immediately in some different areas as she is able to play multiple attacking positions."
Mitchell's older sister, Taylor, is part of the soccer team at Lamar University, and her father, James, played baseball at Cal State Northridge.
Mitchell plans to pursue a career in fashion or management at ACU. She is a member of her school's A/B honor Roll and served as student body secretary.
ACU Press Conference: Abilene Flying Bison to Play at ACU in 2026
Tuesday, April 07
ACU Baseball: Rick McCarty Press Conference | April 6, 2026
Monday, April 06
ACU Softball: Jo Koons Press Conference | April 6, 2026
Monday, April 06
ACU Baseball: Rick McCarty Press Conference | March 31, 2026
Tuesday, March 31
