NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Doug & Lisa Jones family Notre Dame women’s soccer head coach Nate Norman will add some depth to his already experienced backline for the upcoming 2022 season via grad transfer Ashley Zugay, who arrives after four years at Nebraska.
“We are very excited for Ashley to join our program,” Coach Norman said. “I have been watching Ashley play since her club days with the Michigan Hawks and Vardar. She will bring toughness, physicality and a lot of technical ability to our backline. She will be a great fit for our team.”
Zugay is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. Last season, Zugay played in all 18 games with seven starts. She recorded three assists and four shots on goal.
All-in-all, Zugay played in 65 total games for the Huskers with 41 career starts.
The Ann Arbor, Michigan, native attended Pioneer High and played club soccer for Michigan Hawks DA (2017-18) and Vardar ECNL (2013-17), serving as team captain with the latter for the final three years.
“I am so excited to join such a talented team that fosters a championship mentality, while also striving to positively contribute to the ND community,” Zugay stated. “I can’t wait to be a part of the rich tradition of Notre Dame Athletics and to join the Irish family!”
The Irish starting backline of Eva Gaetino, Eva Wirtz and Waniya Hudson were locked in this past season, posting a 0.963 goals-against average. All-in-all, the Irish defense allowed just 22 goals – the fewest allowed in Coach Norman’s tenure (not counting the shortened 2020 season due to Covid-19) and the fewest since 2016.
— ND —