Conway – Coming off of its first Southland Conference Title, the Central Arkansas women's soccer team has added nine players on National Signing Day, head coach Jeremy Bishop announced. The class features four defenders, three midfielders and a pair of forwards.
"We are extremely excited and proud of this recruiting class," said Bishop. "We are graduating some players this year that did things for our program that will be very difficult to replace and we have returning players that I believe are ready to step in and fill those gaps. But at the same time, I believe that every one of the members of this class has the chance to come in and compete for spots and minutes during their freshman year. The competition level is going to be really strong for us next fall."
Bishop continued, saying, "With the exception of the goalkeeper position, this class will provided competition at every position on the field. It has a lot of athleticism and soccer ability and they all come from solid club and high school experiences. We have All-State and All-Conference performers, high school state champions, and standouts from the top club league in the country, the ECNL. On top of all of their abilities on the field, this group of young ladies is also very motivated and has proven to be high character individuals. I have no doubt that this group, combined with our returning players, will keep us at a level that will allow us to compete for another championship in the Southland. I can't wait until August to get everyone together and start working toward that goal!"
Dawson Depperschmidt, from Flower Mound, Texas, will add depth to one of the strongest defensive units in the Southland Conference. Depperschmist was named the Flower Mound High School Newcomer of the Year in 2014 and has earned All-District honors twice while helping lead the Jaguars to the 6A state championship in 2016. A member of the D'Feeters ECNL team, Depperschmidt was on the PSAT Team at FMSH and earned the school's Jammin' Jag Award.
Hadley Dickinson, a native of Cabot, Arkansas, will contribute in the midfield for the Bears. A three-time All-Conference selection, Dickins helped lead the Panthers to three conference championships, a pair of state runner-up finishes, and a state championship in 2015. She has twice been named to the All-Tournament Team. Dickinson also helped lead her club team, Arkansas United to five state championships from 2011 to 2015.
Lauren Hargus, from Bentonville, Arkansas, will see action at forward for Central Arkansas. A four-year varsity member for coach Kris Henry, Hargus has led the Tigers to a pair of state championships while averaging five goals and 14 assists per season. She is a three-time All-Conference honoree and has been named the NWA Democrat 7A Conference Soccer Player to Watch three times. At the club level, Hargus has led the Arkansas Comets to three state titles and has collected over 80 goals in four seasons.
Haylee Hulse, from Colleyville, Texas, will join the Central Arkansas back line. She was named the Grapevine High School Freshman of the Year in 2014 and has earned All-District honors three times will helping guide the Mustangs to the Texas 5A State Semifinals in 2015 and the State Finals in 2016. She helped lead her club team, Solar Chelsea ECNL, to Nationals in 2014, National Finals in 2015, and Regionals in 2016.
Haley Ober, a native of Arlington, Texas, will join the UCA midfield. A four-year letterman at Martin High School, she helped led the Warriors to a Regional Semifinals appearance in 2015 and a Regional Finals appearance in 2016. Over was named All-District first team in 2014 and 2015, and was named District Midfield MVP in 2016, when she led MHS in assists and ranked second on the team in goals. She helped her club team, Solar ECNL '99 to a LHGCL Division 1 Grand Championship in 2012, a Conference Championship in 2013, and a Conference Runner-Up finish in 2014.
Kirsten Rumbold, from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, will also join the Bears' midfield. She helped guide Mountain Vista High School to Colorado Continental League Championships in 2013, 2014, and 2015 and a Colorado 5A State Runner-Up finish in 2016. She has been a key member of a Real Colorado team that won its league in 2014, 2015, and 2015 and finished second in the National Finals in 2014 and 2016.
Maci Schoonover, from Midlothian, Texas, will bolster the Central Arkansas attack next season. An All-District first team selection in 2015 and 2016, she helped the Lady Panthers to a 38-8-6 record over the past two seasons.
Anika Sultan, from Dallas, Texas, will help add depth to the Central Arkansas midfield. She earned All-District first team honors as a freshman and was named Parish
Episcopal School's MVP as a junior before serving as team captain during her senior season. At the club level, Sultan played for Sting ECNL for three years before joining D'feeters ECNL Composite as a senior.
Lily Sultan, also from Dallas, Texas, will contribute on the Central Arkansas back line. A four year contributor for Parish Episcopal School, Sultan played for Sting ECNL at the club level for three years before moving to D'feeters ECNL Composite as a senior.
