Photo by: Aly Bayliss
ACU Soccer Inks Trio of Transfer Additions
6/26/2026 2:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ABILENE - Three additional transfers will join Abilene Christian soccer for the 2026 campaign, head coach Stephen Salas announced this week. The trio is part of a class of 15 Wildcat newcomers that includes five student-athletes signing with ACU out of the transfer portal.
Charlise Smith makes her way to the Big Country following two seasons at Green Bay, while Texas natives Jayme Bialik and Chloe Nugent spent their freshman campaigns at California Baptist and Michigan, respectively. They join Mikayla Abrenica and Jenna Verplancke, who each transferred to ACU ahead of the 2026 spring semester.
"A priority in this transfer window was to increase our talent and depth at outside back while adding more attacking threat through the midfield, and these three accomplish exactly that," Salas said. "What makes this group special is that they bring value beyond the field as well, each contributing to a team culture that we take great pride in increasing. I look forward to seeing their impact from the moment they step in.
"This class also reflects what ACU soccer continues to attract: players drawn to our style of play, our professionalism and our calling to compete with faith at the center of everything we do."
The Wildcats look to build upon a historic 2025 season that included a trip to the Western Athletic Conference semifinals with three All-Conference honorees. ACU will make its debut in the United Athletic Conference this fall, part of a rebranding of the WAC and a partnership with the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Smith, a junior defender, appeared in 31 matches with 15 starts at Green Bay. The Waunakee, Wis. native registered three assists with 14 shots and eight shots on goal across 1,699 minutes. Smith made an early impact as a freshman in 2024, starting each of the 14 matches she competed in before making 17 appearances in 2025.
"Charlise is a fierce competitor who brings athleticism and versatility to our backline and wide areas," Salas said. "She goes with full intensity every minute she's on the field, and her aggression, movement and work rate make her dangerous in transition. What stands out equally is her character, as she leads with a Christian mindset and brings a positive presence that will shape our culture immediately. Her maturity gives our upperclassmen another strong voice, and we look forward to watching her grow in a Purple and White jersey."
Last season, Smith powered the Phoenix to the Horizon League Championship for the first time in program history after tallying an assist in the quarterfinal victory over Wright State. Green Bay won or tied in eight of its final 10 matches. As a freshman, she assisted on goals in wins over Western Illinois and Cleveland State.
Smith garnered First Team All-Conference accolades as Waunakee Community High School's Most Outstanding Player in 2023. She was named an All-American by United Soccer Coaches following back-to-back conference championships. Smith was a two-time Academic All-State selection and played for Madison 56ers SC.
Bialik powered the Lancers to a WAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth last season, making 16 appearances with one start in a 2-0 win versus Nevada. The Spring, Texas product totaled 387 minutes with six shots as a midfielder and forward. Bialik was an Academic All-WAC honoree.
"Jayme is an intelligent and aggressive player who brings us quality in the midfield or up top, and that versatility is genuinely valuable to us," Salas said. "She possesses the ball well, breaks lines with her passing and her runs and is dangerous in and around the box. Her competitive drive and winning mentality will add real depth to multiple positions, but mostly in the attacking midfield position. Having lived in both Canada and Texas, she brings an international flair to our group, and we can't wait to welcome her back to Texas to continue her career with ACU."
Bialik attended College Park High School, where she was named District MVP as a senior. She earned back-to-back First Team All-District honors and was a TASCO Honorable Mention All-State midfielder as a senior. Bialik landed on the Houston Chronicle's All-Greater Houston Second Team and received Academic All-State recognition as a senior. She played club soccer for Challenge ECNL after spending her first two years of high school in Canada. Bialik was born in Edmonton, Alberta.
Nugent missed her true freshman season at Michigan with an injury following a decorated prep career. The Carrollton, Texas product was a four-year letterwinner at Hebron High School, totaling 64 victories. Nugent garnered Second Team All-Area and All-District 5-6A distinction as a senior with five goals and seven assists as a defender. She collected Academic All-District achievements in the classroom.
"Chloe brings everything you want at outside back with her technical ability, athleticism and a level of play that will raise the standard of our entire group," Salas said. "Coming from the University of Michigan and Solar SC, she arrives with a high ceiling and proven pedigree that we're eager to develop here. Beyond the field, she pursues excellence in training, competition and Christian leadership, which fits exactly who we are at ACU. We're thrilled to bring her closer to home and welcome her into the Wildcat soccer family."
At the club level, Nugent guided Solar Soccer Club to five straight ECNL Texas state championships while playing for the ECNL national championship in 2021 and 2023.
Charlise Smith makes her way to the Big Country following two seasons at Green Bay, while Texas natives Jayme Bialik and Chloe Nugent spent their freshman campaigns at California Baptist and Michigan, respectively. They join Mikayla Abrenica and Jenna Verplancke, who each transferred to ACU ahead of the 2026 spring semester.
"A priority in this transfer window was to increase our talent and depth at outside back while adding more attacking threat through the midfield, and these three accomplish exactly that," Salas said. "What makes this group special is that they bring value beyond the field as well, each contributing to a team culture that we take great pride in increasing. I look forward to seeing their impact from the moment they step in.
"This class also reflects what ACU soccer continues to attract: players drawn to our style of play, our professionalism and our calling to compete with faith at the center of everything we do."
The Wildcats look to build upon a historic 2025 season that included a trip to the Western Athletic Conference semifinals with three All-Conference honorees. ACU will make its debut in the United Athletic Conference this fall, part of a rebranding of the WAC and a partnership with the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Smith, a junior defender, appeared in 31 matches with 15 starts at Green Bay. The Waunakee, Wis. native registered three assists with 14 shots and eight shots on goal across 1,699 minutes. Smith made an early impact as a freshman in 2024, starting each of the 14 matches she competed in before making 17 appearances in 2025.
"Charlise is a fierce competitor who brings athleticism and versatility to our backline and wide areas," Salas said. "She goes with full intensity every minute she's on the field, and her aggression, movement and work rate make her dangerous in transition. What stands out equally is her character, as she leads with a Christian mindset and brings a positive presence that will shape our culture immediately. Her maturity gives our upperclassmen another strong voice, and we look forward to watching her grow in a Purple and White jersey."
Last season, Smith powered the Phoenix to the Horizon League Championship for the first time in program history after tallying an assist in the quarterfinal victory over Wright State. Green Bay won or tied in eight of its final 10 matches. As a freshman, she assisted on goals in wins over Western Illinois and Cleveland State.
Smith garnered First Team All-Conference accolades as Waunakee Community High School's Most Outstanding Player in 2023. She was named an All-American by United Soccer Coaches following back-to-back conference championships. Smith was a two-time Academic All-State selection and played for Madison 56ers SC.
Bialik powered the Lancers to a WAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth last season, making 16 appearances with one start in a 2-0 win versus Nevada. The Spring, Texas product totaled 387 minutes with six shots as a midfielder and forward. Bialik was an Academic All-WAC honoree.
"Jayme is an intelligent and aggressive player who brings us quality in the midfield or up top, and that versatility is genuinely valuable to us," Salas said. "She possesses the ball well, breaks lines with her passing and her runs and is dangerous in and around the box. Her competitive drive and winning mentality will add real depth to multiple positions, but mostly in the attacking midfield position. Having lived in both Canada and Texas, she brings an international flair to our group, and we can't wait to welcome her back to Texas to continue her career with ACU."
Bialik attended College Park High School, where she was named District MVP as a senior. She earned back-to-back First Team All-District honors and was a TASCO Honorable Mention All-State midfielder as a senior. Bialik landed on the Houston Chronicle's All-Greater Houston Second Team and received Academic All-State recognition as a senior. She played club soccer for Challenge ECNL after spending her first two years of high school in Canada. Bialik was born in Edmonton, Alberta.
Nugent missed her true freshman season at Michigan with an injury following a decorated prep career. The Carrollton, Texas product was a four-year letterwinner at Hebron High School, totaling 64 victories. Nugent garnered Second Team All-Area and All-District 5-6A distinction as a senior with five goals and seven assists as a defender. She collected Academic All-District achievements in the classroom.
"Chloe brings everything you want at outside back with her technical ability, athleticism and a level of play that will raise the standard of our entire group," Salas said. "Coming from the University of Michigan and Solar SC, she arrives with a high ceiling and proven pedigree that we're eager to develop here. Beyond the field, she pursues excellence in training, competition and Christian leadership, which fits exactly who we are at ACU. We're thrilled to bring her closer to home and welcome her into the Wildcat soccer family."
At the club level, Nugent guided Solar Soccer Club to five straight ECNL Texas state championships while playing for the ECNL national championship in 2021 and 2023.
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