Feb. 11, 2002

Notre Dame, Ind. – University of Notre Dame men’s soccer coach Bobby Clark has announced the signing of seven prep standouts to national letters of intent. Joining the Irish program in the fall of 2002 will be three defenders, two midfielders, a foward and a goalkeeper. The signees include: defender Ben Crouse (Oak Park, Calif./Oak Park), forward Tony Megna (Middleton, Wis./Middleton HS), goalkeeper Justin Michaud (Austin, Texas/St. Stephens Episcopal), defender Dale Rellas (Plano, Texas/Plano West Senior HS), midfielder John Stephens (Woodbridge, Ill./Benet Academy), defender Nick Tarnay (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Ignatius HS) and midfielder Jon Mark Thompson (Cape Girardeau, Mo./Cape Girardeau Central HS).

“This is a class my staff (including assistant coaches Brian Wiese and Mike Avery) worked very hard to identify.” Clark says. “All seven of these individuals are excited about coming to Notre Dame and playing soccer. This is a group that really believes in the direction of our program and that Notre Dame can be a soccer power. “All seven of these players have great potential and sets us up for the future. It is a class of considerable depth and quality. Looking at the makeup of this group, these players comprise a team that will have an impact on the growth of our program.”

BEN CROUSE…Defender…5-11…165…Oak Park, Calif./Oak Park HS Four-year starter on varsity team…senior season is still in progress…earned all-Tri-Valley League honors as a junior and was an all-California Interscholastic Federation selection…finished as team’s top scorer and selected Team MVP…served as team captain during junior campaign…selected as team’s Defensive Player of the Year…named to all-Tri-Valley League first team after leading squad to league championship in 2000…member of Region IV Olympic Developmental Team…a starter on Cal South State Team…plays for SoCal United Soccer club…led that team to championship of CSL Premier League…team was a semifinalist at National Cup and a finalist at Nomads Tournament.

Clark on Crouse: “Ben is a tough, hard-nosed player with considerable experience as a regional team player. With the loss of three central defenders from last year’s team, he will have the opportunity to have an impact immediately and compete for a starting spot in the lineup.”

TONY MEGNA…Forward…5-11…165…Middletown, Wis./Middleton HS Did not compete his senior season due to a back injury…four-year member of varsity team…scored 27 goals and 39 assists…earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors as a junior after scoring 10 goals and dishing off 16 assists…scored eight goals and dished off 14 assists in his sophomore season while garnering first-team all-conference and second-team all-district honors…led team to conference and sectional championship in his freshman season and had nine goals and nine assists…three-year starter on Region II and State Olympic Developmental Team…plays for Madison 56ers club team…named to All-Star team at 2001 ESP Camp.

Clark on Megna: “Tony caught my eye last year. He has the potential to be a good goal scorer and can be a player who can contribute immediately as a freshman.”

JUSTIN MICHAUD…Goalkeeper…6-0…175…Austin, Texas/St. Stephens Episcopal School Two year starter…currently finishing his final scholastic campaign…team presently has a 7-0 record…has helped team register 17 shutouts and post a 21-1-1 record in his two seasons as a starter…serving as team co-captain for the second consecutive year…led team to 2001 SPC and South Zone championships…earned first team all-SPC and all-South Zone honors in his junior season…member of state Olympic Developmental Team in 2001…has been the starting goalkeeper for the Austin Capitals Soccer Club since 1998 and helped that team register a 165-32-22 mark while registering 120 shutouts…named to the All-Star team at Notre Dame Elite Soccer Camp in summer of 2001.

Clark on Michaud: “Justin adds strength and depth to our goalkeeping situation. We had the opportunity to see a lot of him when he came to our Elite Camp last summer and was very impressed with his play. Justin has gained great experience playing for a solid club program.”

DALE RELLAS…Defender…6-2…160…Plano, Texas/Plano West Senior HS One of two players from the state of Texas to sign national leter of intent…begins final scholastic season in the spring…named top defender in North Texas as a junior and was the only junior named to all-area team…selected to the all-region team in 2000…has been a starter since 1997 on the North Texas State Olympic Developmental Program Team…plays for the Solar Soccer Club and helped lead that team to Dallas Classic League championship…named to All-Star team at Notre Dame Elite Soccer Camp in summer of 2001…honors student who is a member of National Honor Society.

Clark on Rellas: “Dale plays for one of the best club programs in the country. He has been a key defender and contributed greatly to the success of the program. We were very impressed with his play while he attended our Elite Camp last summer.”

JOHN STEPHENS…Midfielder…5-8…150…Woodbridge, Ill./Benet Academy Has played club soccer year round and does not particpate on high school team…a member of State Olympic Developmental Program team since 1998…plays for Chicago Sockers club team and helped that team capture Under-16 national club team championship in 1999…team claimed third-place finish for Under-17 team in 2000…was selected to play for Sockers FC Top Talent Program…named to All-Star team at Notre Dame Elite Soccer Camp in summer of 2001…named age group MVP at Indiana University Camp in 2001…grandson of former Notre Dame assistant athletic director Colonel Jack Stephens.

Clark on Stephens: “John is a fabulous player who has great ties to Notre Dame. He’s a very technical player who is mentally tough. John is a competitive player with a tremendous drive to excel. He’s another one of our incoming freshmen who we had the opportunity to see play while he attended our camp. Having played for one of the top teams in the Midwest, he has a solid background.”

NICK TARNAY…Defender…5-10…160…Cleveland, Ohio/St.Ignatius HS A three-year starter on high school squad that ranked among top 20 high school teams this season…served as team captain in senior season…starting member of Ohio North State Olympic Developmental team…plays for Internationals SC Club team…led that squad to 2000 Snickers state crown and to runner-up finish at regional championship…was a member of All-Star Team at Notre Dame Elite Soccer Camp in summer of 2001.

Clark on Tarnay: “Nick is another product of our Elite Camp. He has a great foot and can play anyone of the wide flank positions. Nick has the ability to cross the ball extremely well.”

JON MARK THOMPSON…Midfielder…5-10…145…Cape Girardeau, Mo./Cape Girardeau Central HS Finished as school’s career goal-scoring leader with 60 during his career…tied single-season scoring record with 26 in final scholastic season…first-team all-state selection and was named top offensive player in Southeastern Missouri for the second consecutive year following final prep season…also earned first-team all-state honors following his junior year…three-time first-team all-conference selection and two-time team MVP and captain…four-year starter on varsity and one of the team’s leading scorers in each of his four season…member of Region III Olympic Developmental Program pool…plays for Metro FC Soccer Club…selected to the All-Star Team at Notre Dame Elite Camp in summer of 2001…ranks first in high school class with a 4.0 grade point average…member of National Honor Society.

Clark on Thompson: “John Mark has a very good feel for the game. He makes excellent decisions with the ball and will contribute as a scorer in the midfield for us.”