Conway, Ark. –

Coming off their most successful season in program history, the Central Arkansas women’s soccer program bolstered their ranks on Wednesday, collecting letters of intent from six players.

The Bears are coming off of a 10-7-1 season, which marked the first time that Central Arkansas has reached the 10-win mark since becoming a Division I program, but the Bears struggled in Southland Conference play, compiling a record of 2-5-1 in SLC games and failing to make their first-ever appearance in the SLC Tournament. Central Arkansas head coach Jeremy Bishop felt that the Bears, who lost only four players to graduation, were in a good place, roster-wise, following the 2012 season, but emphasized that there is always room for improvement. “I am extremely excited about our 2013 class,” he said on Wednesday. “With the roster we have returning, we did not need to bring in a lot of players, but we did need to bring in some players that would make us better. There is no doubt that this has been accomplished.”

Central Arkansas covered every area of the field with their signing class, adding a keeper, a midfielder, and four players capable of handling multiple positions. The Bears’ first addition is midfielder Allie Coleman. The McKinney, Texas native, who was named 1^st-team All-District and 2^nd-team All-Region in 2012, brings a “physical presence” to the Central Arkansas midfield, according to Bishop. Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Keith attended Lincoln Christian School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While Lincoln does not support a varsity soccer team, Keith was a decorated track star, being named the Lincoln Outstanding Relay Runner in 2011, as well as being a three-time All-Oklahoma selection and a state champion in the 4x800 relay. On the pitch, Keith kept her skills sharp as a member of the 95 Blitz United Navy squad, where she served as team captain for five consecutive years. “Kaitlyn is an athletic keeper with good size and technical ability,” said Bishop. “She is a great shot stopper and has a very good kicking game as well.” The Bears also added help on the back line, in the form of defender Kelsey Johnson, from Spring, Texas. Johnson, who served as captain during her senior season, was a three time all-district honoree for a Klein Oak team that was ranked as high as no. 5 in the nation by ESPN. “Kelsey is a strong defender with the ability to get forward out of the back,” said  Bishop. “She is also capable of giving us service on the left side.”

Central Arkansas rounds out its class with the addition of three players capable of lining up at both forward and midfield. Kate Koch, from Mansfield, Texas, was an all-district honoree for a Nolan Catholic team that was state runner up. She also experienced success at the club level, where she was a member of a Dallas Texans ECNL team that twice came in third place at the USYSA Nationals. “Kate is a technical player who sees the field extremely well and can help our attack with her playmaking ability,” said Bishop. Chele Naudin, from Princeton, Texas lettered in four different sports in high school. On the pitch, she served as captain for four seasons, setting the single season goals record at Princeton High and twice being named to the Dallas Morning News Top Scoring List. “Chele is a strong, athletic player who can bring a physical presence up front for us,” said Bishop. Central Arkansas’ final signee is Shelby Wilson, from Flower Mound, Texas. She was an all-district honoree her junior year and served as captain of her club team for three years. Said Bishop, “Shelby brings a combination of speed and determination that will allow her to put opposing defenses under pressure and create scoring opportunities for us.”

Bishop expects big things from his signing class, saying, “All of these girls will compete for playing time right away. They are similar in the fact that they all come from extremely competitive club environments, as well as possessing a strong desire to achieve great things on the field. They all have unique abilities that they will bring to our program that will address our needs moving forward.”