CONWAY, Ark. – Now on the other side of signing day, the Central Arkansas women's soccer team announces its seven-athlete signing class. Graduating one of the more successful classes in recent memory, the incoming class will have some large cleats to fill as they start their careers.
 
"We are really excited about this recruiting class, and I can't wait to get them on campus," Head Coach Jeremy Bishop said of the group. "All of these athletes come from very competitive high school and club programs, so I have no doubt that they will have an impact on our team."
 
Starting off the class, Abbi Armstrong joins the Bears from Bentonville, Ark., a four-year varsity forward at Bentonville HS. An all-state player, Armstrong helped lead her high school team to a 6A West Conference title this past season, earning 6A West All-Conference First Team honors along the way.
 
During her club career, Armstrong won a US Club National Cup XVIII U14 Championship with Sporting Arkansas '05G. Following that season, she switched to playing for the Arkansas Comets, where she would help lead her team to a 2021 US Club National Cup XX U16 runner up finish, then winning a DPL Conference Championship in the Frontier League.
 
Blair Barnett signed up to be a Bear after a successful prep career at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock, Ark. Proving to be a valuable addition right away, Barnett was named the Most Valuable Freshman Athlete in 2020, growing into a must-have on the pitch for club and school.
 
Speaking of her club career, Barnett has won four-straight state club championships for her Arkansas Rising team. She also helped lead her team advance to a pair of US Youth Soccer Region III Semifinals, and won a North Texas ECRL league championship.
 
The next signee for the Bears is Caroline Billings, joining the team from Thornton, Colo. Billings enjoyed a successful prep career at Broomfield HS, winning a national championship as a sophomore and finishing as a runner up as a junior. Starring for her club team Colorado Rush, Billings was named Most Improved Player and Attacking Player of the Year in 2019, leading her team to a pair of champions league appearances with a quarterfinal finish in the playoffs.
 
Emerson Kercher signed to suit up in Purple and Gray out of Littleton, Colo., playing club soccer for the Colorado Rapids ENCL. Running the backline, Kercher has multiple Defensive MVPs to her name, helping her team to two Colorado State Championships. In 2021, she also led her Colorado Rush GA team to the Playoff Quarterfinals.
 
Also putting pen to paper to join the Bears, Josie Marshall signed with Central Arkansas out of Braswell High School in Aubrey, Texas. A four-year varsity letterman, she was captain of her high school team as a goalkeeper, locking down the net as the last line of defense. In back-to-back seasons, Marshall was named to the Berkner Ice Bowl All-Tournament Team. She also boasts two Texas state cup championships, winning those in consecutive seasons, qualifying for regional playoffs.
 
A midfielder from St. Louis, Briana Maylas chose to join the Bears after a successful career at Seckman High School. During her playing days, her leadership on and off the field led her to being named captain of the squad as a senior. Maylas also had quite the career playing for her St. Louis – Scott Gallagher club team, helping her team to three ODP Subregional Events.
 
Megan Moudy joins the Bears from right down the road from Cabot, Ark., putting together a quality career for Cabot HS. After being named captain for the 2022 season, Moudy turned in an All-State season, scoring 14 goals with eight assists in 18 matches. Her club career also garnered many accolades, with Moudy leading her Arkansas Rising '04 team to four State League Championships. She also helped her club team to a 2022 North Texas ECRL Championship, and a pair of USYS Regional Semifinal appearances.
 
"This class is made of defensive and attacking players that will definitely add to our level of competition and depth across the field," Bishop added. "We are thrilled to add these ladies to our team, and can't wait to see their impact on us as we move forward."
 
The 2022-23 signing class will provide depth at many positions for the Bears, forcing some competition for playing time with the level of talent on the field. After fighting to an ASUN Championship Semifinal, expectations for the newcomers will be high, as Central Arkansas seeks to return to conference postseason and compete for league titles.