NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team is pleased to announce another addition to the program as defender Julia Ware is transferring to the program from Purdue.
“We are very excited to add Julia as a grad transfer to this year’s class,” said Doug & Lisa Jones Family Head Women’s Soccer Coach Nate Norman. “She makes an already extremely talented class even better. She is an athletic, technical defender that will strengthen our back line. She will add tremendous experience and we can’t wait to begin working with her.”
A native of Frisco, Texas, Ware has played in 49 games through her three seasons with the Boilermakers and has made 46 starts on the backline. In each of her previous two seasons, she has played and started in every game for the Boilermakers.
“I chose Notre Dame because I know it’s a place where I can not only compete at the highest level athletically, but one where I will be pushed to grow personally, intellectually, and spiritually,” said Ware. “The tradition of Notre Dame is based in a community rooted in service and high standards of excellence and I can’t wait to be a part of that.”
This past season, Ware started all 12 games and played every minute for Purdue. She was one of two players to play every minute and led the team with 1132 minutes played over the season. She anchored the defense that allowed just 10 goals in 12 games and had four shutouts on the season. Ware also assisted on the game-winning goal in the 1-0 win over Northwestern on March 13. Last season, Ware was also appointed to NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee and her term runs through June 2022.
In 2019, Ware played and started in all 20 matches and was one of the team leaders in minutes played with 1,773. She played at least 90 minutes in all but two matches and Purdue notched nine shutouts on the season, the most since the 2007 season. Following the season, Ware was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
In her freshman season, Ware played in 17 of the 18 games on the year and made 14 starts. She finished third among freshmen with 1,356 minutes played. Ware played 90 minutes or more in 10 of her 17 games.
Ware is one of three sisters and her sister Olivia currently plays soccer at Northeastern. Both of her parents played collegiate sports as her Dad, Chris, played baseball at Boise State and her mom, Rosita, ran track at Notre Dame.
Julia Ware Defender 5-8 Frisco, Texas Solar Soccer Club DA
2020 / AS A JUNIOR
- Played and started in all 12 matches and tied for the team lead with 1,132 minutes played
- Ware has started the last 33 consecutive games for the Boilermakers dating back to the final game of the 2018 season
- She anchored the defense that allowed 10 goals in 12 games and tallied four shutouts on the season
- Ware assisted on the game-winning goal in the 1-0 win over Northwestern on March 13
- She was appointed to the NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee and her term runs through June 2022
2019 / AS A SOPHOMORE
- Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
- Academic All-Big Ten
- Played in and started all 20 matches and had nine shots, one on goal, in 1,773 minutes
- Played at least 90 minutes in all but two matches
- Helped the defense post nine shutouts, Purdue’s most since 2007
- Started both matches in the Big Ten Tournament, including at top-seeded and No. 7-ranked Wisconsin in a 1-0 victory on Nov. 3
- Had two shots at Maryland on Oct. 20
- Recorded two shots at Michigan State on Sept. 29
- Had a pair of shots in a double-overtime scoreless draw at Saint Louis on Sept. 15
- Notched a shot on goal against No. 11 Kansas on Sept. 8
- Helped Purdue shut out Georgia and added two shots in a 1-0 win on Aug. 22
2018 / AS A FRESHMAN
- Played in 17 of Purdue’s 18 matches and recorded five shots, and two on goal, all coming in conference play, in 1,356 minutes, third-most among freshman
- Played at least 90 minutes in 10 matches
- Had a career-high and team-high three shots vs then-ranked No. 25 Northwestern
- Set up the game-winning goal vs Indiana by forcing a handball in the penalty box (9/29)
- Played 110 minutes vs Iowa, when she notched a game saving slide tackle to prevent the golden goal
HIGH SCHOOL
- Focused on her Solar Soccer Club DA as an upperclassman in Dallas after relocating with her family
- Moved to Texas as a junior after being part of league and CIF championship teams at Mater Dei High School in Orange County, California
- Helped lead Solar DA to a place in the finals of the club national championship
- First Team All-Trinity League and honorable mention CIF as a sophomore
- Second Team All-Trinity League and CIF performer as Mater Dei won league and CIF titles her freshman year
- Also part of ODP regional and national championship teams
- Four-year honor student was also part of student council all four years
- Valedictorian of her eighth grade class
PERSONAL
- Majored in law and society at Purdue
- Intends to get her Juris Doctorate in Law at Notre Dame
- Parents are Chris Ware and Rosita Smith
- Has two sisters, Olivia and Emma
- Father, Chris, played baseball at Boise State
- Mother, Rosita, ran track at Notre Dame
- Step-Dad, Ryan, was a cheer captain at Notre Dame
- Sister, Olivia, plays soccer at Northeastern
- Born in Newport Beach, California
—ND—