June 14, 1999

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame freshman Kelly McCardell has been selected as one of 16 players to the United States under-19 women’s lacrosse national team and will compete at the International Federation of Women’s Lacrosse World Championships in Perth, Australia, in September. McCardell is one of just six incoming college freshmen to be selected to the team, which is comprised of players under the age of 19 who have not yet played a collegiate women’s lacrosse game. She also is the first Notre Dame women’s lacrosse player to be selected for a national team in the four-year history of the program.

“We are very exited for Kelly and about the wonderful opportunity she will have with the national team,” said Irish head coach Tracy Coyne. “Teaming up with some of the best players in the U.S. and competing against the best in the world will be a great experience for her both as a person and as a lacrosse player.”

McCardell starred at Henderson High School in her hometown of West Chester, Pa., where she led her team to consecutive state district titles. She has garnered all-state honors and played in the STX Lacrosse Festival. McCardell also played on the Philly II region team at the United States Women’s Lacrosse Association tournament and will be one of eight freshmen on the 2000 Irish women’s lacrosse team.

Wendy Kridel, coach of Bryn Mawr (Md.) High School, will serve as head coach of the U.S. under-19 national team, which will be looking for its first World Championship after finishing second to Australia in the inaugural World Championship in 1995. The team will compete against select all-star teams July 17-18, in Annapolis, Md., before entering training camp July 19-23, at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va.