Irish Women's Soccer Team Signs Five Top Players To Letters Of Intent

Feb. 5, 2006

The Notre Dame women’s soccer team has added five top players to comprise its national letter-of-intent signee group for 2006, with the signees including: forward Michele Weissenhofer (Naperville, Ill.), midfielder Courtney Rosen (Brecksville, Ohio), midfielder/defender Amanda Clark (Naperville, Ill.), defender Haley Ford (Midland, Texas) and goalkeeper Kelsey Lysander (San Diego, Calif.).

Three of the signees – Weissenhofer, Rosen and Lysander – have received high school All-America honors while Rosen has been active with the U.S. Under-16 and U-17 national teams. All five of the signees are members of their respective Olympic Development Program regional teams and each currently plays for one of the nation’s top club programs.

Notre Dame is set to return nine of its top-13 regulars (and 13 of the usual top-18) from the dominant 2005 team that went 22-3-0 and lost to eventual NCAA champion Portland in the NCAA quarterfinals round. The eight departing seniors include a pair of two-time All-Americans – forward Katie Thorlakson and right back Candace Chapman – plus four-year starting goalkeeper Erika Bohn and midfield starter Annie Schefter.

“We have met our goals in filling some key spots lost from our core group of graduated players – we feel that these players can step in and help fill those voids right away,” says Randy Waldrum, who is set to embark on his eighth season as head coach of the Irish.

“We are at the point now where we are focusing our recruiting on players who are great fits to our style of play and who mesh well with our group of returning players. These five players are perfect fits for the Notre Dame soccer program and our fans will enjoy watching them during their Irish soccer careers.”

Each of the signees has some sort of connection to current or former Notre Dame players, as referenced below (also note that bio. capsules and comments from the five signees follow below).

The most noteworthy connection belongs to Clark and Weissenhofer, current teammates at Neuqua Valley High School and key leaders for the Eclipse Select club team that is taking aim at a third straight national title. Current Notre Dame freshman midfielder Brittany Bock combined with Clark and Weissenhofer in leading NVHS to the 2005 Illinois state title and all three were members of the Illinois team that advanced to the 2005 Olympic Development Program national semifinals.

The Irish now are set to feature a core of six top Chicago-area players on the 2006 team, led by current junior midfield starters Jen Buczkowski and Jill Krivacek and their classmate Kim Lorenzen (a three-year starter, as both a right back and central defender).

“Having two players from such a well-coached, quality program set to join us at Notre Dame is a huge advantage,” says Waldrum, in reference to the longtime teammates Clark and Weissenhofer.

“Much like with Lorenzen, Buczkowski, and Krivacek, both Clark and Weissenhofer will have that same chemistry together before they ever step on Alumni Field, not to mention the connection that they have with Brittany Bock. So we obviously are excited to make the most out of these playing relationships as they relate to the 2006 season and beyond. Their coach with the Eclipse, Mike Nesci, and his staff have done a great job in preparing them for college soccer.”

NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER 2006 LETTER-OF-INTENT SIGNEES

Michele Weissenhofer’s diverse offensive talents include a dangerous flip throw-in style.

Weissenhofer should add a dynamic edge to the Notre Dame attack, after totaling 26 goals in her junior season at Neuqua Valley while also scoring several clutch goals with the Eclipse during the past few years. The ODP Region II standout is a two-time EA Sports All-American and provides a unique dimension for set plays due to a dangerous flip throw-in style that has produced some big goals in recent years.

“We have been watching Michele’s progress closely for three years and she first and foremost simply finds ways to score goals,” says Waldrum. “She can beat you with pace but also has the strength to hold players off and burn you for a goal that way. She is a tireless worker, in the game for 90 minutes fighting both offensively and defensively much like Katie Thorlakson.

“Michele likely will play up front for us but she has the ability to play multiple positions and this versatility is very attractive to our program. She will be a very exciting player for the fans to see.”

Two-time Ohio player of the year Courtney Rosen is one of the top midfielders for the U.S. Under-17 National Team.

Rosen is a rising star on the U.S. national-team scene, playing for the Under-16 and U-17 National Teams while also serving as a standout for the ODP Region II team and the W-League’s Cleveland Internationals. A three-time NSCAA All-American and two-time Ohio state player of the year, Rosen is a proven winner after playing on four state championship teams with the Ohio Internationals club team and leading Hathaway Brown High School to the 2004 state title, totaling 101 goals and 56 assists in her prep career with the Blazers.

“Courtney is going to bring a lot of experience to our team, even as a young player. I feel she is the top player coming out of Ohio and she plays a lot like our current top midfielder Jen Buczkowski and also has similar qualities to Jill Krivacek,” says Waldrum.

“Courtney has great vision and is very sound in her technical ability. She’ll be a great midfield presence and has a great ability to bring everyone into the game – in that she can find people with her passing ability and can change the tempo of the game. She can play all three of our midfield positions and will be a great attacking personality. Courtney also will be well prepared as she plays for Zdravko Popovic, one of the premier coaches in Ohio.”

Amanda Clark has starred as a midfielder and defender at Neuqua Valley High School (’05 Illinois state champs) and with the two-time national champion Eclipse Select club team.

The versatile Clark – known for her intense leadership and strong ballwinning skills – earned all-state honors as a junior while anchoring the back line for Neuqua Valley’s state championship team. She then combined with Weissenhofer in leading the Eclipse to their second consecutive club national title, serving as the Eclipse team captain while also playing with the Illinois and Region II ODP teams.

“Amanda is an extremely competitive person and has a great battling mentality – she simply doesn’t get beat very often, is a true ball-winner and is fearless in her play,” says Waldrum.

“She also has the added dimension of being good on the ball, with very good decision-making. She brings a winning mentality and you can’t have enough of those players. Another impressive thing about Amanda is her understanding of when to play simple and when to be more creative. She has a mindset similar to our former All-American Melissa Tancredi and will have an immediate impact in our program.”

Haley Ford (right) is a captain and top defensive presence for the elite Dallas Texans club program.

The 5-foot-9 Ford continues Notre Dame’s tradition of signing players from the elite Dallas Texans club program, with current Irish players who are Texans products including freshman forward sensation Kerri Hanks (a 2005 All-American and one of the final-15 candidates for the Hermann Trophy), junior midfielder Claire Gallerano and sophomore `keeper Lauren Karas. A current captain for the Texans team that won the 2005 state title, Ford also is a member of the Region III ODP team and has attended national camp with her ODP team.

“Haley is very similar to our current freshman central defender Carrie Dew, in both size and playing style – as a very composed player with great technical ability, strong play in the air and the ability to attack out of the back. We see her as a central defender for us but she has the tactical awareness to play midfield if needed,” says Waldrum.

“Pressure does not seem to affect Haley and her composure gives players around her a confidence that they need. She has a great winning mentality, strong leadership qualities and is one of those players who continues to get better and better. Her coaches Kenny Medina and Hassan Nazari are two of the best in the country and they have prepared her well for the college game.”

Kelsey Lysander has honed her skills while playing for the ODP Region IV team and one of the nation’s top club programs with the San Diego Surf.

The hard-working and spirited Lysander has a more direct connection to Dew, as a product of the same elite club program, the San Diego Surf. The 5-foot-10 goalkeeper – who was a four-year standout as a starter at Rancho Bernardo High School and has earned 2006 All-America honors from the NSCAA – will combine with current sophomore Karas and junior Nikki Westfall in giving the Irish three solid options for filling the position held by Bohn for most of the past four seasons.

“One of the things that attracted us to Kelsey is her tremendous upside and potential. She is quick and agile, with good size and is very athletic,” says Waldrum. “She has a very confident and strong personality, which you need with your goalkeepers, and also has a tremendous work ethic. I believe that she will `take off’ after working daily with our goalkeeper coach Dawn Greathouse and we will have a great competition among our three ‘keepers next fall.”

Amanda Clark serves as team captain and leader of the back line for the national champion Eclipse Select club team.

CLARK BIO NOTES – Member of ODP Region II player pool from since 2003, playing for ODP Region II team in ’04 and ’05 … has played for the Illinois state ODP team since ’01, helping lead Team Illinois to the 2005 national finals … toured Europe with ODP Region II team in both seasons … played key role for Eclipse select club team that won 2004 and ’05 club national titles, serving as team captain in ’05 … longtime friend and teammate of fellow ND signee Michele Weissenhofer (they live in the same neighborhood, attended the same middle school and high school, played together on the Team Chicago Brazil club and with the Eclipse for the past three years, in addition to playing on the same state and regional ODP teams) … played alongside Weissenhofer and current ND freshman midfielder Brittany Bock on the Illinois ODP team that advanced to the 2005 national semifinals (as did current ND freshman D Carrie Dew and her San Diego Surf team) … the Eclipse went 1-1-1 in the semifinal round-robin at the 2005 U-17 national tournament (in Orlando, at the Disney Complex), beating the California-based Slammers (2-0) and tying CASL (N.C.) Spartan Elite (1-1) before losing to the PDA Wildcats out of New Jersey, 3-2 … the Eclipse won the rematch with PDA in the ’05 national title game (3-1) … also helped Eclipse win U-16 national title in ’04 (beating the Slammers in the final), after winning the regional final over Carmel in double-OT (the Eclipse also reached the ’03 regional final) … member of Eclipse team that won ’04 WAGS and Raleigh tournaments and the ’05 Disney Showcase (’06 finalist) … played for Team Chicago club from ’99-’03, with the ’01-`03 teams each winning regional titles (also Surf Cup runner-up and Raleigh Shootout champs in ’03; Raleigh champ and WAGS runner-up in ’02; Nike Cup and WAGS champs in ’01) … played for NSA club team from ’97-’99 … teamed with Weissenhofer and Bock on Neuqua Valley High School team that capped national-title season (27-2-1) with stunning comeback vs. two-time defending champ New Trier, erasing 3-0 halftime deficit to win title game (6-3) … led back line that helped NVHS totaled 16-6 shot edge in that title game … had corner-kick assist on Weissenhofer goal in ’05 state quarterfinal win over Barrington (5-1) … her top ’05 prep honors included all-state, also an all-section pick in ’04 for regional championship team … helped NVHS reach state quarterfinals in ’03, totaling 9 goals, 19 assists that season as a freshman midfielder … she and fellow ND signee Courtney Rosen have been teammates with ODP Region II (they also have been club rivals when Team Chicago faced the Cleveland-based Internationals) … played against another ND signee, Haley Ford, when the Eclipse faced the Dallas Texans in the final of the 2006 Disney Showcase … set to play alongside Weissenhofer and Rosen at a U-19 regional event in southern California at the Home Depot Center … member of team that won 2002 regional and national 3-vs.-3 championships … captained basketball team as a sophomore at NVHS … served as student council rep. … owns 4.33 GPA as member of the National Honor Society.

Amanda Clark will be one of six top Chicago-area players on Notre Dame’s 2006 team.

CLARK ON HER DECISION – “My goal was to find a place I belonged and I know that I have found a home at Notre Dame. I am proud that I have the opportunity to not only represent Notre Dame but to also continue the legacy that the women’s soccer team has so deservingly built for themselves. I know that I will not only be getting one of the best educations in the nation, but I also have the chance to truly become a part of the tradition, morals and values that this university was built upon. My first visit to Notre Dame was a big influence to my decision. I had the pleasure of visiting on a weekend when the women’s soccer alumni were there for a banquet commemorating the 2004 national championship. After listening to the speeches about the past and present teams, I knew that I wanted to be a part of this unbelievable program. Being from Chicago, I already knew Kimmy Lorenzen, Jill Krivacek, Jen Buzkowski, and Brittany Bock. Their level of competition and skill is unmatched and right off the bat I knew that Notre Dame would be a place where I would have to challenge myself. Everything from the girls to the coaching staff are unbelievable and I really can’t wait to begin training in the fall.”

Haley Ford currently stars for the ODP Region III team and has been part of the ODP national-team pool.

FORD BIO. NOTES – First played for ODP Region II team in 2002-03 before earning spot in the regional team again in ’05-’06 … also was a member of the national ODP pool in ’02-’03 … has attended the ODP inter-regional event in Boca Raton, Fla., during ’02 and ’05 … member of North Texas ODP state team since 2000, helping team place 3rd in the nation in 2004 while also winning Region III titles in ’03 and ’05 … one of the top player for the elite Dallas Texans club program since 2002, regularly making six-hour commute from her hometown of Midland … currently serves as captain of the Texans Red North team that recently had impressive win at the 2006 Disney Showcase, topping Eclipse Select team (4-0) that features fellow ND signees Michele Weissenhofer and Amanda Clark … sent a long ball to set up third goal in that game (the Texans earlier beat the Arizona-based Sereno Golden Eagles in the semifinal) … helped Texans win Premier League titles in ’04-’05 and ’05-’06 … played for Midland Blast soccer club from ’98-’02 … played varsity soccer at Midland High School from 2002-04, earning all-district honors in ’04 after helping team win district title and reach regional semifinals … accomplished student as member of National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society, also serving as senior girls officer at NVHS while being named a 2005 and ’06 U.S. Achievement Academy All-American Scholar and receiving 2006 USAA National Leadership and Service Award.

Haley Ford and her Dallas Texans teammates recently posted a 4-0 win over the Eclipse Select (and two of her fellow ND signees) at the Disney Showcase.

FORD ON HER DECISION – “I’m excited about attending Notre Dame. I chose Notre Dame because they have a great soccer program and they have won a national championship. I felt comfortable around the coaches, the team and Lauren Karas, who took care of me on my unofficial and official visits. I love the school spirit and academically I think Notre Dame provides a great educational opportunity.”

LYSANDER BIO. NOTES – Named a 2006 All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America … has played with ODP Region IV team since 2004, attending recent inter-regional event with Region IV team in Boca Raton, Fla. … also was member of Region IV pool in ’03 … has played with Cal-South ODP team since 2002 … member of same elite club program, the San Diego Surf, that produced current ND freshman defender Carrie Dew … helped Surf win the annual four-team event that pits the top Cal-South teams vs. the top Cal-North teams, with the Surf beating SoCal United in the 2-1 final (fall ’05) … also member of 2002 Surf team that won the annual WAGS tournament in Washington, D.C. … four-year starter at Rancho Bernardo High School, also embarking on her second season as a team captain … earned first team all-CIF (all-state), first team all-Palomar League and first team all-North County honors as a junior in 2005 … her father Rick Lysander pitched in the Major Leagues during the early 1980s, with the Oakland A’s and Minnesota Twins … her brother Brent Lysander currently is a freshman pitcher on the Sonoma State baseball team.

Kelsey Lysander follows central defender Carrie Dew as Notre Dame’s second recent signee from the San Diego Surf club program.

LYSANDER ON HER DECISION – “I chose to play for Notre Dame because of the amazing environment that I knew I’d be putting myself into, on and off the field. Everything felt balanced – the team, coaches, and campus just fell into place for me when I was around them. Also, winning another national championship for Notre Dame would be amazing.”

ROSEN BIO NOTES – Has played on the top level as a member of the U.S. Under-17 and U-16 national teams, earning All-American honors five times from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (three times on the high school level, twice on youth level) … played alongside current ND sophomore forward Amanda Cinalli at the first-ever U.S. U-17 national-team event, playing in that game as a 15-yaer-old and scoring the team’s first goal on a corner kick … member of the ODP Region II team since 2000 … star player for Ohio North state ODP team that won 2002 regional title and finished third in the 2003 national tournament … also played for Super Y Divisional ODP Team … played with the Cleveland Internationals in the W-league during the summers of 2004 and ’05 (team placed 2nd in Midwest Division), with Cinalli and current ND junior `keeper Nikki Westfall also members of that ’05 team … also has been star player for Internationals youth club team that has won four state titles, was a U-13 regional finalist and won two WAGS tournaments … earlier played on Barracudas boys club team that was three-time Adidas Cup champs and gold-flight champs at the U-13 Schwann’s USA Cup … twice named Ohio high school player of the year and three times all-state at Hathaway Brown High School … led LBHS to state title during her junior season, with a double-OT win over Cincinnati Indian Hill (LBHS’s soccer program had begun just six years earlier) … had the overtime goal that beat two-time defending state champ Bay HS in the 2004 state quarterfinals (2-1) … total 101 goals and 51 assists in first three prep seasons, including 22G-12A during the state-title season … named the “Ohio High Magazine” woman of the year … three-year recipient of scholar-athlete aware … received 2005 Blazer Award as most accomplished fall sports student-athlete at HBHS … has become close friends with her former prep rival Cinalli (their teams used to battle in the district finals) … she and fellow ND signee Michelle Weissenhofer have been teammates with ODP Region II (they also have been club rivals when Team Chicago faced the Cleveland-based Internationals) … set to play alongside Weissenhofer and another ND signee, Amanda Clark, at a U-19 regional event in southern California at the Home Depot Center … began playing soccer at the age of seven.

Courtney Rosen led Hathaway Brown High School to the 2004 state title while picking up her first of two Ohio player-of-the-year awards.

ROSEN ON HER DECISION – “There are few moments in your life when you see a place and you know, without any doubt, that it is the right place for you. There are even fewer moments in your life when you actually are given the opportunity to be a part of this place and the dreams that you have always had are suddenly changed into reality. My experience with Notre Dame has been very similar. After taking my unofficial visit at Notre Dame, I knew that it was the right place for me. From the unbelievable athletics to the unparalleled education, Notre Dame is second to none. I spent my childhood days sitting on the lap of my grandfather watching the football games, listening to his incredible stories of tradition and legacy that the school held. Ever since those young days, I have always hoped to be able to be part of the legacy and tradition that is Notre Dame. I am so lucky to be able to spend the next four years of my life at such a great institution. I look forward to playing with some of the best athletes in the nation and being coached by some of the most respected people in the game”.

Michele Weissenhofer celebrates one of her three goals in the 2005 state title game, as Neuqua Valley rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat New Trier (6-3).

WEISSENHOFER BIO. NOTES – Member of ODP Region II player pool from since 2002, playing for ODP Region II team in ’03 … has played for the Illinois state ODP team since ’01, helping lead Team Illinois to the 2005 national finals … also gained experience playing internationally with ODP team in ’04 … played key role for Eclipse select club team that won 2004 and ’05 club national titles … longtime friend and teammate of fellow ND signee Amanda Clark (they live in the same neighborhood, attended the same middle school and high school, played together on the Team Chicago Brazil club and with the Eclipse for the past three years, in addition to playing on the same state and regional ODP teams) … played alongside Clark and current ND freshman midfielder Brittany Bock on the Illinois ODP team that advanced to the 2005 national semifinals (as did current ND freshman D Carrie Dew and her San Diego Surf team) … the Eclipse went 1-1-1 in the semifinal round-robin at the 2005 U-17 national tournament (in Orlando, at the Disney Complex), beating the California-based Slammers (2-0) and tying CASL (N.C.) Spartan Elite (1-1) before losing to the PDA Wildcats out of New Jersey, 3-2 (with Weissenhofer’s goal forging a 2-2 game) … the Eclipse won the rematch with PDA in the ’05 national title game (3-1) … also helped Eclipse win U-16 national title in ’04 (beating the Slammers in the final), after winning the regional final over Carmel in double-OT (the Eclipse also reached the ’03 regional final) … member of Eclipse team that won ’04 WAGS and Raleigh tournaments and ’05 Disney Showcase (’06 finalist) … played on state cup club championship team every year from 1998-2005 … earned 2004 youth All-America honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America … teamed with Bock and Clark on Neuqua Valley High School team that capped national-title season (27-2-1) with stunning comeback vs. two-time defending champ New Trier, erasing 3-0 halftime deficit to win title game (6-3) … her 3G in that game set an Illinois state tournament record (her 6G in 3 GP tied that tournament record) … tied Bock for 2005 team lead with 26 goals, including earlier hat trick vs. St .Charles East … named an EA Sports All-American and all-state for both the ’04 (team MVP) and ’05 season … helped NVHS reach state quarterfinals in ’03 … grew up playing alongside Bock on the Chicago Panthers club team … member of Panthers team that won ’02 regional title … also played with Bock on ODP regional teams … she and fellow ND signee Courtney Rosen have been teammates with ODP Region II (they also have been club rivals when Team Chicago faced the Cleveland-based Internationals) … played against another ND signee, Haley Ford, when the Eclipse faced the Dallas Texans in the final of the 2006 Disney Showcase … set to play alongside Clark and Rosen at a U-19 regional event in southern California at the Home Depot Center … competed in gymnastics as a youth, which later helped in developing her strong soccer flip-throw-in style … her uncle Ron Weissenhofer (’87) was a top linebacker with the Notre Dame football team in the mid-1980s.

Michele Weissenhofer scored 26 goals as a high school junior and is one of the top offensive players for her two-time national champion Eclipse Select club team.

WEISSENHOFER ON HER DECISION – “My family members are big fans of Notre Dame. Right when they heard I was looking at Notre Dame, it was like excitement was in the air and for good reasons. Notre Dame is unlike any other college I visited. The beautiful campus, amazing people, and tradition are only few of the things that helped me make an easy decision for Notre Dame. Yet on top of that the soccer program is unrealistic. The defining moment where I knew I wanted to go to ND was in the locker room before a game. The team’s favorite song came on and all of a sudden the lights were out and everyone was on their feet and beginning to dance. The team’s chemistry, character, and skill are unlike any other college team. So for me, ND was the best college I could have chosen for the school itself and as well as the soccer program. This will give me the necessary tools I will need to be successful.”