Girls Commitments: Arkansas acquisition

by Travis Clark

August 27, 2013

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Kayla McKeon, Midfielder, Dallas Sting
Class: 2016
Commitment: Arkansas

A center midfielder who can play both sides of the ball, Kayla McKeon found everything she was looking for in Arkansas.

“They are a very close-knit family and the coaching staff always has their doors open,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “I have a really good connection with the coaches and when I committed, they told me I was a part of the family starting now. I love the town, and the school spirit all over the state is amazing.”

Kayla McKeon

Head coach Colby Hale, hired at the end of 2011, has a grand vision for growing the program, and the chance to be a part of that helped draw McKeon to the soccer program.

“One of the main things that I was attracted to at the University of Arkansas was the opportunity to create history,” she said. “There are a lot of things that have never been done in their soccer program and I find it exciting to help make those happen for the first time. The coaches talked a lot about having a good balance of fun and hard work. I am very convinced that they will make me a better player and person.”

Based in Fayetteville, the school itself also had plenty that caught her attention in the classroom.

“The campus is absolutely beautiful and the academic support that they offer will be very helpful,” she said. “I’m not really sure what I want to major in, and they offer a wide variety of opportunities.”

Abigail Coffey, Goalkeeper, CASL
Class: 2015
Commitment: Charlotte

When it came to picking a school, Abigail Coffey found plenty to like about Charlotte.

“I loved the beautiful campus, the proximity to the city and the academic degree options that they had,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “I felt at home the second I stepped on the campus. It was also important for me to be closer to home. Ever since I was a little girl, my parents have watched all my games. It was important to me for my parents to be able to watch my game into my college career.”

The program’s recent move to the Conference USA certainly helped when it came to the soccer team, although it wasn’t just the competition that drew her in.

“I like that Charlotte has been very competitive in their conference and that they were moving to the competitive Conference USA conference, but it was really the coaching staff that sealed the deal,” she said. “Coach Cullen and his staff are some of the nicest and most personable people I have ever met and they made my family and I feel very welcome.”

Other commitments:

Defender Lana Duke (TSC Hurricane) committed to Oklahoma State for the class of 2014.

Midfielder Lauren McKeever (Gwinnett Soccer Assocation) committed to Elon for the class of 2015.