FAYETTEVILLE -- Ellie Breden could only picture one ideal place to continue her soccer career beyond the high school level.
The Fayetteville senior signed at what appears to be the picture perfect time with her dream program.
Breden, a 5-foot-9 defender, signed a national letter of intent with Arkansas during a school ceremony Wednesday held at Bulldog Arena. For Breden, playing for the Razorbacks is special enough. But joining the team as coach Colby Hale builds a Top 25 power makes the signing even better.
"I'm so excited I can't even explain it," Breden said. "Going to the U of A is just home to me and it's outstanding to be part of a great program.
"The program is going up and up and I just feel like I'm going to be able to become a better player off of that. So I am so excited about that."
Breden was an all-conference and all-state selection for Fayetteville last season, allowing opponents under one goal per contest. A three-sport letter winner at Fayetteville in volleyball, basketball and soccer, Breden originally committed to Arkansas during her junior year.
"I think she's the prototypical kid that Colby looks for," Fayetteville girls' soccer coach Joe Thoma said. "She's a great athlete, has a great mentality, she's a hard worker and of course she's a great soccer player.
"So I think she's going to fit right in and I think she'll earn her playing time her freshman year and get in there and go from there."
Along with Breden, two other players from the Fayetteville soccer program signed Wednesday. Falon Hanson signed with the University of the Ozarks and Mariam Bartlett, a new Fayetteville player who earned all-state honors in Iowa, signed with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
Carter Picks Army
Fayetteville all-state defensive end Damani Carter had several options to stay closer to home to play his college football. But the Buldogs' senior chose Army.
"They've got a great thing going and I really do want to be a part of it," Carter said. "It's an amazing school and I think it's a great decision for me.
"It was a very tough decision because I'm going to be going far away from my family. It's something I'm going to have to adjust to, but I think it's the right decision."
Carter was also recruited by Arkansas Tech, Harding University and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
"Damani Carter is one of the finest young men I have ever coached," Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. "He has a bright future ahead of him, not only on the football field but in whatever he does."
Fayetteville football players Miles Taliaferro, Cooper Sone and Harrison Schaefer also signed on Wednesday. Taliaferro, a two-year starter at defensive back, signed with Evangel College. Sone, who started on the offensive line, signed at Westminster College. And Schaefer, who started on the defensive line, signed with Coffeyville College.
Vernon Tarver can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAVernon
Sports on 02/05/2015