Feb. 2, 2017
By Joanne Norell
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame women’s soccer program inked seven prospective student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on the first day of the signing period Wednesday, solidifying a talented class that will join the Irish in the fall of 2017.
Bailey Cartwright (Connellsville, Pennsylvania/Greensburg Central Catholic/Pittsburgh Riverhounds), Camryn Dyke (Littleton, Colorado/Valor Christian/Colorado Rush ECNL), Sammi Fisher (Simi Valley, California/Grace Brethren/Real So Cal), Eva Hurm (Upper Saddle River, New Jersey/Northern Highlands Regional/PDA), Kate O’Connor (Coto de Caza, California/Tesoro High School/So Cal Blues), Erin Ospeck (Danville, California/Carondelet/Mustang Soccer Club) and Jenna Winebrenner (Kansas City, Missouri/Park Hill/FCKC Forte Elite) all made official their commitment to the Irish and will join the program when they enroll this fall.
“I’m thrilled to introduce our 2017 class,” Irish head coach Theresa Romagnolo said. “Within this class we have a tremendous group of student-athletes with a mix of positional players who will contribute with their respective talents. We are adding some defensive players to our already tremendous defensive unit as well as some exceptional attacking and midfield players who will help increase the production and creativity in our attack.”
The Irish return 17 players from the 2016 roster, including 10 who started at least 13 matches. Notre Dame will also return a pair of players — Natalie Jacobs and Sabrina Flores — who missed the 2016 season while training for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup and were starters for the Irish in 2015.
Below, find an in-depth look at Notre Dame’s signees.
Bailey Cartwright, 5-5, M/F (Connellsville, Pa. | Greensburg Central Catholic | Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
High School Highlights
- Will graduate from Greensburg Central Catholic High School in June 2017.
- Participated in soccer and track and field in high school.
- Scored the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League career goals record with 230 in high school and set the national career assists record with 159 during high school.
- Set the national single-season assist record (51) as a sophomore and WPIAL single-season goals record (79) as a junior.
- Was a four-time All-WPIAL Team honoree and a two-time all-state pick.
- High school team won the state championship while a freshman, was a state finalist as a sophomore and state semifinalist as a senior.
- Played in the 2016 High School All-American Game.
Club Highlights
- Club team won the 2014 National Championship and the 2015 Southeast Region Championship.
- Named a three-time Soccer Wire Player That Impressed.
- Named to the All-Triangle Friendlies Tournament Team and All-Bethesda Tournament Team.
- Named to Top Drawer National Cup Finals Best XI.
Personal Highlights
- Member of the National Honor Society and student council in high school.
- Treasurer of Knot the Difference Club, which makes blankets for the homeless.
- Highest Honor Roll honoree.
- Appeared in Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd.
- Daughter of Bryan and Barbara Cartwright and younger sister to Alexandria.
- Full name is Bailey Lynn Cartwright.
- Will enroll in the First Year of Studies program with plans to study engineering.
Romagnolo says: “Bailey is an attacking player who loves to go at players to create her own goals or set up her teammates. She has had a wonderful career so far and we are excited for her to do it at the next level.”
Camryn Dyke, 5-7, M (Littleton, Colo. | Valor Christian | Colorado Rush ECNL)
High School Highlights
- Will graduate from Valor Christian in May 2017.
- Played high school soccer as a freshman, junior and senior.
- Spring 2016 Colorado State Runner-Up.
- CHSAA 4A State Player of the Year Runner-Up.
- Named to the CHSAA/MaxPreps All-State First Team.
- Selected as the Jefferson County League MVP.
- Nominated as Colorado State Gatorade Player of the Year.
- Recorded a team-leading 36 points (15 goals, six assists).
- Senior season begins March 2017.
Club Highlights
- Colorado Rush qualified for ECNL Playoffs in each season.
- Attended Nike/ECNL/id2 National Training Camp, Portland, Oregon, August 2014 and 2015.
- Part of U-15 U.S. National Team Player Pool.
- Attended U.S U-14 GNT Camp in Carson, California, in August 2012.
- Attended U.S Club Soccer National Training ID2 in Irvine, California, in April 2012.
- Attended U.S Club Soccer National Training ID2 in Hartford, Connecticut, in October 2012.
- Named Club Team Captain 2010-2013.
- 2013 Dallas International Girls Cup Champions with U-16 Rush ECNL.
- PUMA Women’s Elite Showcase, Orlando, Florida, July 2014.
- ECNL Player Development Program (PDP), March 2014 and 2015.
- Member of Region IV ODP Costa Rica Team 2013.
- Attended ODP National Development Camp in Phoenix, Arizona, 2013.
- Named to Region IV ODP Championships All-Tournament Team 2013.
- Member of Region IV ODP Team 2011, 2012, 2013.
- Participated in Thanksgiving ODP Interregional with Region IV team, Boca Raton, Florida, 2011, 2012, 2013.
- Co-Captain of Colorado State ODP Team 2011, 2012.
Personal Highlights
- Participated in school’s Valor Discovery program. Will embark on two-week mission to Nepal in 2017. Participated in 2016 mission trip to the Bahamas, performing service work at Zion Children’s Home.
- Named the 2016 Valor Christian History Student of the Year.
- Earned the 2016-17 Valor Christian Bible Department C.S. Lewis Award for Writing.
- Named the Top Female Academic Athlete at the 2016 Valor VESPY Sports Awards.
- Named the January 2016 Valor Christian Student of the Month.
- Daughter of Peter and Annette Dyke and older sister to Coriana.
- Mother, Annette, played basketball at Colorado State.
- Full name is Camryn Reino Dyke.
- Will enroll in the First Year of Studies Program.
Romagnolo says: “Cam is a tremendous midfielder who can impact the game with her movement and creativity on the ball. She can command a midfield unit and can control the tempo of the game.”
Sammi Fisher, 5-6, M (Simi Valley, Calif. | Grace Brethren | Real So Cal ECNL)
High School Highlights
- Will graduated from Grace Brethren in May 2017.
- Played for the same club team as current Irish freshman Brooke Littman.
- Named to the all-league First Team in all three years (senior season is in progress).
- Two-time California Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year and First Team All-CIF honoree.
- Two-time CIF team champion.
- Named the conference Offensive MVP and Ventura County Player of the Year as a junior.
- Has scored 72 goals to date with high school team.
- Named to the All-Tournament First Team at the 2016 NEPS Showcase.
Club Highlights
- Part of the U-17 U.S. National Team Pool.
- Real So Cal won the 2016 Cal South ODP National Championship.
- Participated in 2016 ECNL PDP National Camp.
- 2015 ECNL PDP.
Personal Highlights
- Named a scholar-athlete.
- Daughter of Mike and Livia Fisher and younger sister to Jenna and Monica.
- Both sisters played soccer at Marymount California University.
- Full name is Samantha Tru Fisher.
- Will enroll in the First Year of Studies program with plans to enter the Mendoza College of Business.
Romagnolo says: “Sammi brings the unique ability to break down defenses with her passing or dribbling. She is an offensive threat out of the midfield and has showed herself to be a big goal-scorer out of that position.”
Eva Hurm, 5-6, F (Upper Saddle River, N.J. | Northern Highlands Regional | PDA)
High School Highlights
- Will graduate from Northern Highlands Regional High School in June 2017.
- High school team went 90-1-4 during high school career.
- High school team set a state record with a 65-game winning streak and 88-game unbeaten streak.
- Scored 53 goals with 39 assists during four high school seasons.
- Four-year New Jersey state championship participant.
- New Jersey Group 3 State runner-up in 2015 and 2016 Group 3 State Champions.
- Named First Team All-State in 2016 and earned all-state recognition in 2015.
- Selected as an NSCAA All-American as a senior and scored once and assisted twice in the High School All-American Game.
- Named the 2016 Big North Conference Player of the Year.
- Nominated for 2016 Gatorade Player of New Jersey.
Club Highlights
- 2012 U-14 WAGS Championship (BEC Stallions Club)
- 2012 U-14 Fall State Cup Championship (BEC Stallions Club)
- 2013 New Jersey State Team ODP
- 2013 Region 1 Camp ODP
- 2014 U.S. U-18 National Training Camp
- 2014 Nike ID Training Camp
- 2014 ECNL PDP Northeast
- 2016 Invite to Nike ID2 Training Camp
- 2016 ECNL PDP Northeast
Personal Highlights
- Four-year Honor Roll selection
- Member of the National Honor Society.
- Volunteer with Camp Acorn, Aleeooop Camp and at a local park with children with developmental disabilities.
- Thirteen family members have graduated from Notre Damefrom 1951 to 2004.
- Daughter of Jerry and Deanne Hurm and younger sister to Erin.
- Cousin Dave Lazzeri (`73) played baseball at Notre Dame and Betsy Lazzeri (`04) ran track at Notre Dame.
- Full name is Eva Therese Hurm.
- Will enroll in the First Year of Studies program and plans to enter the Mendoza College of Business.
Romagnolo says: “Eva is an explosive attacking player who is extremely dangerous going to goal or setting up teammates. She will bring speed, creativity and production to our attack.”
Kate O’Connor, 5-7, M (Coto de Caza, Calif. | Tesoro High School | So Cal Blues)
High School Highlights
- Will graduate from Tesoro in June 2017.
- Participated in soccer, cross country and track and field in high school.
- High school team was a CIF Southern Section Division 1 Finalist during junior year.
- Served as high school team captain as a senior.
Club Highlights
- Club team was ranked No. 1 nationally in 2015, when So Cal Blues also won the ECNL National Championship and the 2015 Surf Cup Championship. Club as also national champion in 2013 and Surf Cup champion in 2012.
Personal Highlights
- Involved in Tesoro’s IMPACT freshmen mentoring program.
- Member of the National Honor Society.
- Volunteers with the non-profit Global Genes, helping children with rare diseases, and Lion’s Heart, a community volunteer program.
- Part of the California Scholarship Federation.
- Earned the Titan Award in math as a high school freshman.
- Named to the Principal’s Honor Roll as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
- Fluent in two languages.
- Named the Freshman MVP of the Tesoro cross country team and earned all-county honors.
- Daughter of Tim and Kathy O’Connor and has an older brother, Jack, and younger sister, Meg.
- Grandfather Thomas R. O’Connor III attended Notre Dame, graduating in 1950 after his education was interrupted by World War II and an enlistment in the Navy.
- Grandfather James Bender played basketball at Northwestern and great-grandfather Hirum “Babe” Bender played basketball and football for the Wildcats.
- Full name is Kate Elizabeth O’Connor.
- Will enroll in the First Year of Studies program with plans to enter the Mendoza College of Business.
Romagnolo says: “Kate is a versatile player who can impact both the midfield or back line. She is a great defender and also a connector. She is extremely competitive and has been a part of many successful teams.”
Erin Ospeck, 5-4, F (Danville, Calif. | Carondelet | Mustang Soccer Club)
High School Highlights
- Will graduate from Carondelet in May 2017.
- Led freshman team to undefeated record and voted MVP.
- Earned a starting spot on varsity as a sophomore.
- Led team with 16 goals and 14 assists as a junior.
- Placed second in the California Division I North Coast Section as a junior.
- 2016 team ranked No. 4 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.
- 2016 East Bay Athletic League Champions
- Named to 2016 All-EBAL First Team and North Coast Section First Team.
- Named the 2016 North Coast Section Junior Player of the Year.
- Was a 2016 All-Region and All-State selection.
- 2017 Team Captain (season ongoing).
Club Highlights
- 2013 ECNL NW Region Runner-Up
- 2014 ECNL NW Region Runner-Up to eventual National Champion
- 2015 ECNL NW Region Runner-Up
- ECNL id2 Invitee
Personal Highlights
- Member of the National Charity League.
- Carondelet High School Peer Counselor
- 2016 Oakland DIocese Leadership Conference Representative for Carondelet
- Four-time North Coast Section Scholar Athlete
- Member of the National Honor Society.
- Member of the California Scholarship Federation.
- Attends the same high school as former Notre Dame women’s basketball player Hannah Huffman.
- Daughter of Matthew and Marie Ospeck and older sister to Charlie, Joey, Natalie and Ellie.
- Father, Matthew, competed in basketball and track at Case Western Reserve.
- Uncle Kelly Brothers (`89) attended Notre Dame.
- Full name is Erin Margaret Ospeck.
- Will enroll in the First Year of Studies Program with plans to study science.
Romagnolo says: “Erin is a wonderful attacking player who will add creativity to our attack. She is versatile and can be a target or take players on. She is a dynamic attacking player.”
Jenna Winebrenner, 5-7, D (Kansas City, Mo. | Park Hill | FCKC Forte Elite)
High School Highlights
- Will graduate from Park Hill in May 2017.
- Played soccer, basketball and cross country in high school
- High school put together 65-17-5 record during first three seasons (senior season begins in February 2017).
- Three-time Kansas City Suburban Red Conference Champions.
- 2015 Missouri Class 3, District 16 Champions and 2016 Missouri Class 4, District 16 Champions.
- Named 2014 and 2015 conference Defender of the Year and 2016 Player of the Year.
- Two-time First Team All-Region (Western Missouri).
- Three-time Western Missouri Elite 11.
- Two-time Second Team All-State and 2016 First Team All-State.
- Named to the KC All-Metro Team in 2015 and 2016 by the Kansas City Star.
- Named to the 2016 NSCAA All-Midwest First Team and was a TeamSnap Second Team All-American.
- 2015 and 2016 team captain.
- Scored 28 goals and 22 assists in first three seasons at center back for high school team.
Club Highlights
- Member of 2013 Missouri Olympic Development Program U15 Team.
- 2013 Midwest Regional League Premier Champions.
- 2013 U.S Youth Soccer National League U15 secondâ⒬‹ place.
- Ranked No. 1 in Missouri and No. 25 nationally by Got Soccer.
- 2014 U.S Youth Soccer Region II Champions
- 2014 U.S Youth Soccer National Championships – 3â⒬‹rd Place
- 2015 Missouri State Cup Champions
- 2016 Midwest Regional League Premier Champions
- Qualified for U.S. Youth National League, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Personal Highlights
- Member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Earned an “academic letter” all four years of high school.
- Coaches girls soccer in Kansas City and helps coach Academy players with her FCKC Club.
- Daughter of Eric and Lisa Winebrenner and younger sister of Cain.
- Brother, Cain, competes in cross country and track and field at the University of Missouri.
- Full name is Jenna Rae Winebrenner.
- Will enroll in the First Year of Studies with plans to enter the Mendoza College of Business.
Romagnolo says: “Jenna is a strong defender who reads the game well and displays great leadership in organizing her team. She will bring great one-on-one ability as well as a toughness to our team.”
— ND —
Joanne Norell, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, has been part of the Fighting Irish athletics communications team since 2014 and coordinates communications efforts for the Notre Dame women’s soccer, men’s tennis, women’s tennis and fencing programs. Norell is a 2011 graduate of Purdue University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, and earned her master’s degree in sports industry management from Georgetown University in 2013.