Soccer reloads roster with 10 signees

ABILENE – The Southland Conference Tournament Champions from Abilene Christian soccer this week announced the signing of 10 recruits who will look to continue the program's winning tradition well into the next decade.

"We're excited about this recruiting class," said head coach Casey Wilson. "This particular class is one of the most well rounded and athletic classes we've recruited here to date. These ladies have a bright future ahead of them and will make this program proud."

Salas and head coach Casey Wilson once again have recruited a versatile class that will maintain the program's style of play. Champions at the club and high school levels, the players in this class are collectively athletic and aggressive and possesses a team-first mentality, which will allow the coaches to place them at various positions. This system worked close to perfection this past season as the Wildcats received more than a third of their 93 points from midfielders and defenders.  

The Wildcats' 2018 defense also was tops in the conference, finishing with a 0.57 goals-against average and 11.8 shots allowed per match. ACU surrendered only 13 goals all season, and just one of those was scored in the first half.

The infusion of this class also is going to create fierce competition during preseason camp as ACU loses only four student-athletes from this fall's 15-win / NCAA qualifying team. And of the projected 24 returning players, eight are starters including goalkeeper Rachel Johnson, defenders Michelle Mulrooney, Brooke Lenz and Southland Conference Freshman of the Year Alyssia Anuat, midfielders Shay Johnson, Sophie Standifer and Megan Paul, and forward Christina Arteaga.

A majority of this year's recruits hail from the Lone Star State, but Wilson – a native Californian – continued his streak of Golden State additions with Caylie Catalano of Redlands, Calif. This past year's team featured three California products: Anuat (San Diego), Mulrooney (Lodi) and Hannah O'Donnell (Shingle Springs).

ACU's Texas-based recruits includes two pairs of high-school teammates: Jordan Michie and Brennan Reuland from Arlington Lamar HS, and Caylen Wright and Chloe Walker of Burleson Joshua HS, plus three from West Texas: San Angelo Central's Addison Bonaventure, Lubbock Frenship's Natalie Jones, and Midland's Allison Robinson.

Michie and Reuland also are cousins.

The Wildcats also successfully recruited Forney native K'lynne Massey and New Braunfels' Anna Kensing.

Profiles of each recruit are listed in alphabetical order.
 

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Addison Bonaventure | 5-3 | F/M | San Angelo, Texas / Central HS
Athletic Accomplishments

• Enters senior season with 156 career points on 65 goals and 26 assists
• Part of a team that's won three District/Bi-District championships and qualified for areas
• 2015-2016 District Newcomer of the year
• 2016-2017 District Offensive MVP
• 2017-2018 First Team All District
• Ranks first and fourth on Central's single-season list for most goals, first and second for most points, and tied for fifth for most assists
• Two-year volleyball letter winner who was voted 2018 second team all district

Academic Achievements

• National Honors Society member
• Currently ranked in the top three percent of her class
• Academic all district three years for soccer and two years for volleyball
• Academic all state senior year for volleyball

Personal

• Played for Abilene Soccer Club and San Angelo FC
• Intends to major in nursing
• Father, Aaron, played club soccer at Angelo State and for a semi-pro indoor team in Midland.
• Brother, Gage, played soccer at Eastern New Mexico University

Coach's Scouting Report
"Addie adds to the title of this class, 'Blue Collar' ... Every game we saw her play in she was the hardest working player on the field … Setups up goals as much as she scores them … We're excited to keep one of the best in West Texas local."
 

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Caylie Catalano | 5-6 | D/M | Redlands, Calif. / Redlands Senior HS
Athletic Accomplishments

• Team Captain and MVP
• First Team All-League selection and all-league defensive MVP for the 2017-18 season
• Second Team All-League in 2016-17
• Recipient of team's Coach's Award and voted Most Improved
• Three-year D2 CIF playoff qualifier
• Competed in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles for school's track and field team

Academic Achievements

• Member of California Junior Scholarship Federation

Personal

• Played for Legends FC
• Intends to major in nursing
• Cousin David Metzgar plays in the New York Yankees' minor-league system
• Cousin Alfonso Gonzales is a MMA fighter
• Cousin Sierra Sagasta played soccer at San Francisco State College

Coach's Scouting Report
"Caylie will be an exciting addition to the program ... A player with a lot of versatility … Athletic lefty with good pace ... Plays excellent defense (outside and center back) along with being a dangerous attacker … Very aggressive and plays with an edge which will be good for our team heading into August training camp."
 

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Natalie Jones | 5-0 | M/F | Lubbock, Texas / Frenship HS
Athletic Accomplishments

• Scored 30 goals and 10 assists during her junior year, and provided the game winning goal that advanced Frenship to the semi-regional game
• Part of teams that won the district championship during undefeated seasons in 2017 and 2018
• Advance to third round of playoffs with Frenship during her freshman and junior years, and fourth round of her sophomore year
• Three-time 2-6A First Team All-District
• Named three times to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal Superteam
• 2017 Offensive Player of the Year

Personal

• Played for D'Feeters ECNL Composite
• Intends to major in kinesiology

Coach's Scouting Report
"Natalie is a very dynamic midfielder who can play various attacking positions … Well-rounded player who dishes out assists and can strike a ball .... Another West Texas native that has developed into a high caliber player … We're excited see her hit the ground running at ACU."
 

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Anna Kensing | 5-6 | M/D | New Braunfels, Texas / New Braunfels HS
Athletic Accomplishments

• Captain of club and high school teams
• 27-6A First Team All-District
• Helped New Braunfels HS reach second round of the playoffs

Academic Achievements

• Four-time 27-6A Academic All-District

Personal

• Played club soccer for San Antonio City SC
• Sister, Rebekah, plays soccer at UTSA
• Mother, Rachel, and aunts Leigh Ann and Rebekah all played collegiate tennis

Coach's Scouting Report
"Anna will make an immediate impact as a freshman at center midfielder ... Her first few steps are quite explosive … Can strike the ball with authority …  Soccer IQ is impressive … Plays the game with a fierce competitiveness … Will help us keep raising the bar."
 

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K'lynne Massey | 5-5 | M/D | Forney, Texas / Forney HS
Athletic Accomplishments

• Played ECNL with D'Feeters Kicks SC
• Made three U.S. National appearances and reached the 2015 finals
• Two-time Region III Champions
• Two-time Premier League Champions
• Four-Time North Texas State Cup Champions

Personal

• Intends to major in speech pathology
• Brother, Dillon, played soccer for Ouachita Baptist

Coach's Scouting Report
"The addition of K'Lynne bring us another central midfielder with a great soccer IQ who does a great job distributing the ball … She loves to play soccer and takes a lot of pride in setting up her teammates for success … She will be a special edition to our Wildcat family."
 

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Jordan Michie | 5-5 | F/M | Arlington, Texas / Lamar HS
Athletic Accomplishments

• Led team in scoring as a freshman (18g, 7a) and sophomore (18g, 6a)
• Led team with 10 assists as a junior, and scored 11 goals
• Two-time First Team All District
• Honorable Mention All Region I
• District 4-6A Newcomer of the Year
• Part of a team that reached the bi-district finals in 2015-16

Academic Achievements

• A/B Honor Roll

Personal

• Played for D'Feeters Kicks SC ECNL
• Academic interests include kinesiology, sports nutrition and criminal justice

Coach's Scouting Report
"Jordan is a fast and athletic midfielder/forward who will be a great addition to this team … Played at a high level for the past number of years with a lot of good experience against elite competition … Very passionate and physical player who will come in and push this team right away."
 

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Brennan Reuland | 5-5 | M/F | Arlington, Texas / Lamar HS
Athletic Accomplishments

• Scored 48 goals and provided 33 assists between her freshman and junior years
• District Offensive Player of the Year
• Three-time First Team All-District
• All-Region honorable mention
• Ft. Worth Star-Telegram All-Star Team
• Part of team that won the 2016 bi-district and regional championships, and 2018 State Cup

Academic Achievements

• A/B Honor Roll

Personal

• Played for D'Feeters Kicks SC ECNL

Coach's Scouting Report
"Brennan is an exciting player to watch in the midfield ... Creates a lot of passes and space with her vision and work ethic … An engine on her club and high school teams … Personality and play will fit into our team chemistry right away."
 

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Allison Robinson | 5-10 | GK | Midland, Texas / Midland HS
Athletic Accomplishments

• Two-time Second Team All-District
• District honorable mention as a freshman
• Part of a team that's won 30 matches the last two seasons and has reached the playoffs for three consecutive years

Personal

• Played for Revolution SC
• Intends to major in athletic training
• Grandfather, Russell Jones, played basketball at Hardin-Simmons University

Coach's Scouting Report
"Allison will add to our nationally ranked goalkeeping depth … Possesses a big presence in goal … Great shot stopper … Always looking to grow as a player … Has been coming to our camps for a while and we've seen her get better and better each year."
 

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Chloe Walker | 5-2 | M/F | Burleson, Texas / Joshua HS
Athletic Accomplishments

• Second Team All-State
• Three-time all-region and district utility player
• Named MVP for match vs. Aledo HS, scoring the game-winning goal in last 24 seconds
• Part of a team that's reached the playoffs all four years
• Played select volleyball, basketball and softball in addition to running track

Academic Achievements

• Ranked in top half of graduating class
• Intends to major in education

Personal

• Played for Solar SC and the Dallas Texans Developmental Academy

Coach's Scouting Report
"Chloe is a workhorse all over the field … Can play in almost every position … Plays with a lot of heart … Competitive nature, energy, and team-first mentality will be a great asset to our program and we're excited to see her be a Wildcat."
 

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Caylen Wright | 5-6 | F/M | Burleson, Texas / Joshua HS
Athletic Accomplishments

• Three-time District and All-County MVP
• Tabbed to the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram's 2017 Super Team and its 2018 First Team
• Led district in goals scored from 2016-18, totaling 81 goals through 71 matches
• Twice led team in assists with nine as a freshman and 15 as a junior
• Part of a team that's won three-consecutive district and bi-district championships, plus two area championships
• Helped team reached the regional semi finals in 2018

Academic Achievements

• National Honor Society
• Ranked among top-five percent of graduating class
• Student Council officer

Personal

• Played for Solar SC ECNL
• Sister, Cassie, golfed at Murray State

Coach's Scouting Report
"Caylen will bring a versatility to our team … A 'jack of all trades' on her high school team and plays both forward and defense for her club team … Very good on the ball and can shoot with a great physical presence … Been one of the leaders in goals and assists in the DFW area and will make an impact right away."