National Player Of The Year Henderson Highlights Notre Dame Women's Soccer Signing Class

Feb. 10, 2008

By Pete LaFleur (special to und.com)

The nation’s top-ranked high school player – forward Melissa Henderson (Garland, Texas/Berkner HS) – highlights a group of eight current prep standouts who will comprise the Notre Dame women’s soccer team’s freshman class for the 2008 season, as announced this week by Irish head coach Randy Waldrum. Six of the additions are official letter-of-intent signees while two others are promising recruited walk-ons, each of whom have been admitted and accepted their enrollment to Notre Dame.

The signees include two of Henderson’s former teammates from the elite Dallas Texans club program (all three now are playing for the Dallas Sting): All-America midfielder/forward Courtney Barg and defender Jessica Schuveiller, both Plano natives and high school teammates at Plano West. Two other signees – midfielder Molly Campbell (Mission Hills, Kan.) and M/D Ellen Jantsch (Kansas City, Mo.) – similarly are prep teammates, at St. Teresa’s Academy, where they earlier played alongside current Notre Dame freshman Lauren Fowlkes. Campbell and Jantsch are longtime club teammates with the KCFC Alliance Jazz and have been playing soccer together since the age of nine. Defender Brynn Gerstle (Louisville, Ky./Assumption HS/Javanon SC) also has signed on to join the Irish, as have invited walk-on defenders Ellen Bartindale (St. Charles, Ill./SC West HS/Fox Valley Strikers) and Haley Chamberlain (Chandler, Ariz./Xavier Prep/Sereno). The eight players are set to be part of a 2008 Notre Dame team that again will feature players from coast-to-coast, spanning 13 different states.

“I’ve always believed it’s difficult to rate an incoming class, as I think this should be done after their body of work in college soccer is completed,” says Waldrum. “Our 2003 class was a top-five ranked class – but by the end of their four years, they had won a national championship, played in another NCAA final, and had more wins than any other senior class in the country during that four-year span.

“Despite my reluctance to `pre-rank’ a class, I must say that this 2008 class is loaded with some of the top players in the country and is deeper than any class I can remember in my nine years here at Notre Dame. We’re extremely excited about this class and it puts us in a great position to continue achieving the success that we have come to know within our program. All of these players can compete right away for playing time and their club coaches have done an outstanding job of preparing them for the collegiate game.”

All-America midfielder Courtney Barg has starred with the U.S. Under-17 National Team and the Dallas Texans elite club program.

The 5-foot-8 Henderson was named the 2007 Gatorade National High School Player of the Year, becoming the first junior ever to receive that prestigious honor (only six other prep athletes – from all sports – ever have received Gatorade’s top national honor as juniors, in their respective sports). In the recently-released Rise Magazine rankings of the nation’s top recruits, Henderson was listed number-one while Barg occupied the seventh spot, making Notre Dame the only women’s soccer program with multiple players among the top eight on that list of top incoming freshmen for the 2008 season.

Henderson and Barg each have received multiple All-America honors during their prep careers, from both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Parade magazine. Both players also have been part of various youth national teams, as Henderson currently is training with the U.S. Under-20 National Team (she is one of only two high-schoolers on that squad) while Barg has been a member of youth national teams on the U-14 through U-17 levels.

The eight players who are set to join the Irish in the fall of 2008 include four – Henderson, Barg, Schuveiller and Campbell – who have been active with their respective Olympic Development Program regional teams and each of the eight players has competed on the state ODP level and with some of the nation’s top club programs. Campbell and Jantsch joined Fowlkes in leading St. Teresa’s to a pair of Missouri state titles (’05, ’06) while Barg and Schuveiller were members of the Plano West team that won the 2007 Texas state title. Schuveiller also combined with Henderson in leading the Dallas Texans squad that was the 2007 national runner-up, adding to the Texans’ status as the nation’s top all-around soccer club program (Barg recently played on an older Texans squad but now is reunited with Henderson and Schuveiller on the Sting).

NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER ADDITIONS FOR 2008 SEASON

* Note: All of the above are official letter-of-intent signees, except Bartindale and Chamberlain (both have been accepted for early admission to Notre Dame and have confirmed their enrollment).

Notre Dame is set to return 10 players with significant starting experience from the 2007 team that went 19-5-2 and reached the NCAA semifinals. The program’s five departing seniors include two regular starters – F/M Amanda Cinalli and goalkeeper Lauren Karas – plus another part-time starter (Academic All-America M/D Ashley Jones), a top reserve forward (Susan Pinnick) and walk-on defender Jennie Bireley. That leaves an impressive core of 22 returners who accounted for 83 percent of the team’s goals (55 of 66) and 80% of the assists (55 of 69) during the 2007 season.

The talented group of newcomers will join a veteran nucleus that includes a high-powered attack, led by three-time All-America forward Kerri Hanks (who will be a second-semester senior in the fall of ’08), rising senior Brittany Bock (an All-America M/F in ’07) and junior-to-be forward Michele Weissenhofer. Two rising juniors – Courtney Rosen and defensive stalwart Amanda Clark – are set to return in the midfield while the entire back four remains intact from 2007: center backs Fowlkes and rising senior Carrie Dew, plus senior-to-be left back Elise Weber and rising sophomore right back Julie Scheidler. The defensive configuration could have some built-in flexibility in ’08, as center back Haley Ford is set to return for her junior season (after missing most of ’07 due to injury) while Fowlkes could move back to her natural position of midfielder.

Henderson – currently competing in La Serma, Chile, with the U.S. U-20 team (Feb. 7-17; games vs. England, Norway and Chile) – is one of 13 different players with Notre Dame connections who are active on various national teams. Hanks, Dew and Weissenhofer are in the midst of a trip to Spain with the U.S. Under-23 National Team that is facing England, Norway and Germany during that weeklong span (Feb. 8-16). Notre Dame is the only school with three of more players on the current 18-player U-23 squad. The U-23s also held a training camp on Jan. 12-20 (Home Depot Center; Carson, Calif.), with Weber joining Hanks, Dew and Weissenhofer among the 24 invitees to that camp (no other school had more than three players invited). Fowlkes similarly attended a U-20 camp, as did Henderson, held Jan. 19-26 at the HDC (32 total players), while Cinalli remains in the U-23 player pool.

Three Notre Dame alums – defender Kate Sobrero Markgraf and midfielders Shannon Boxx and Jen Buczkowski – just completed training at a 37-player “mega-camp” with the full national team, under the direction of new head coach Pia Sundhage (Feb. 1-7; HDC/Carson, Calif.). Notre Dame joined North Carolina, Portland, Virginia and Penn State as schools with three or more alums/current players invited to the mega camp. Markgraf and Boxx are veteran starters for the U.S. National Team while Buczkowski (’07 ND grad) is hoping to make a strong impression on the new national-team coaching staff. A 20-player U.S. roster will be named soon for the annual Algarve Cup, to be held March 5-12 in Portugal. Olympic qualifying then will follow on April 2-13, in Juarez, Mexico. Three other Notre Dame alums likely will be at that qualifying tournament, as Melissa Tancredi, Candace Chapman and Katie Thorlakson remain key players for the Canadian National Team.

Henderson and the U-20s will look to officially qualify for the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, to be held Nov. 20-Dec. 7 back in Chile (the CONCACAF regional qualifying dates and site are TBA). The U-20s currently are under the direction of new head coach Tony DeCicco, after Jillian Ellis accepted an assistant coaching position with the full national team.

(A brief synopsis of each player follows below, as do more detailed player bio. capsules, plus full quotes from Waldrum and each player.)

Henderson opted not to play high school soccer this season, due to her national-team commitments – but she already is the Berkner HS recordholder for career goals (66) and ranks second in assists (45), spanning 47 games played. A five-year member of various youth national teams, she has played soccer on four different continents and will be looking to help the U.S. win the Under-20 Women’s World Cup at the end of 2008.

“Melissa simply is an outstanding and complete soccer player, with great speed and athleticism, skilled technical ability and devastating 1-on-1 moves,” says Waldrum. “She also is tough with her back to the goal, works hard on her defending, has tremendous field vision and change-of-attack ability, and can flat-out put the ball in the net. To top it off, she is a fierce competitor but yet has a humble attitude that she brings to the field with her. It goes without saying that we are very excited for Melissa to become part of the great tradition of Notre Dame women’s soccer.”

Barg – a four-year All-American (for 2004-07; TBA for ’08) while starring for the Texans (’06 national semifinalists) and Plano West – was a member of the U.S. Under-17 National Team in 2006. She made a quick impact as a freshman at PWS, earning country and district newcomer-of-the-year honors. “Courtney is the ultimate all-around player, with unbelievable skill and the ability to see the game so well for her age,” says Waldrum. “She lives and breathes soccer, is a proven winner and can play anywhere on the field, although I think you’ll see her in more of an attacking role for us.”

Schuveiller impressively has served as team captain of the Texans (and now Sting) for the past seven years, in addition to being a three-year captain and three-time all-district performer at Plano West. “Jess is a tremendous leader who has great athleticism and is absolutely tenacious around the ball,” says Waldrum. “She will bring a toughness to the back line but also has great attacking abilities.”

Campbell is a two-time All-American and 2007 NSCAA Scholar All-American who set the St. Teresa’s record for assists in a season, with 19 in 2006. A four-year member of the ODP Region II team, she earned first team all-state honors as a sophomore. “Molly has been coming to our summer camps for several years and has developed into a premier midfield player,” says Waldrum. “She has the high level of technical ability, mobility and workrate needed in our system – in addition to being the ultimate team player.”

The 5-foot-9 Jantsch has joined Campbell as a leader for St. Teresa’s and KCFC Alliance Jazz, in addition to being an alternate for the 2007 ODP Region II team. “Ellen is a very competitive player who has tremendous abilities with the ball and has made some key developments to her physical presence. She can play in multiple positions and likely will end up centrally in midfield or in the back,” says Waldrum.

Midfielder Ellen Jantsch (right) already has won two Missouri state titles at St. Teresa’s Academy, where her former teammates have included current ND freshman Lauren Fowlkes (left).

Gerstle has played as a forward, midfielder and defender during her youth soccer career, which has included totaling 190 career points (57G-76A) at Assumption High School. The NSCAA recognized the 5-foot-9 standout with all-region honors in 2007 (16G-17A) and she was named first team all-state in her final three seasons while also helping AHS advance to the state semifinals in 2004 and ’05. “We love Brynn’s athleticism and think she can play in several positions. She has good size, mobility and competitiveness – all of which would make her a great back in our system,” says Waldrum.

Bartindale – a four-year member and 2007 team captain of the Illinois state ODP squad – earned all-area honors for the St. Charles East High School team that ranked fourth in state of Illinois during her senior season (2007). The four-year starter was a state finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman award and follows her uncle, mother and brother in attending Notre Dame. Chamberlain has helped lead the Arizona state ODP team to four Region IV tournaments while also playing for a Sereno club program that is ranked second nationally (among girls U-17 clubs).

“Ellen and Haley are players who we think can play a role in our program. Ellen could develop into a tough outside back, due to her combination of athleticism, strength and technical ability. Haley comes from a great club program and we also see her as an outside back, with a strong physical presence, good athleticism, tough-minded competitiveness and the skill on the ball needed to play on the outside.”

COAST-TO-COAST – Notre Dame’s 2008 team is set to feature players from 13 different home states, the six listed above (Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Texas) plus California, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin … Henderson, Barg and Schuveiller will be joining an ND women’s program that includes 20 previous players from Texas (plus current freshman F Taylor Knaack, an Arlington native and Dallas Texans product who did not play in ’07 due to injury) … four other returning members of the Irish team are Texas natives: Hanks (Allen HS/Texans), rising junior M Becca Mendoza (North Garland HS/Sting), and the junior-to-be defender duo of Ford (Midland HS/Texans) and Ashley Galovic (Plano East HS/Solar) … several top former ND players also hailed from the Lone Star State, among them F Stephanie Porter (Spring/Klein HS), M Tiffany Thompson (Houston/Cypress Creek), D Monica Gonzalez (Richardson/Plano East), G Liz Wagner (Spring/Klein), F Amanda Guertin (Grapevine HS) and Karas (Flower Mound HS/Texans) … Campbell and Jantsch could join Fowlkes in leading a resurgence of ND players from Missouri, which also produced two of the top forwards from the early years of the program: St. Louis natives Mimi Suba and Michelle McCarthy (who both played at Visitation HS) … Gerstle would become the ND program’s first monogram winner from Kentucky (the program’s all-time monogram list already includes players from 30 states and three foreign countries) … Bartindale is a product of the Illinois girls soccer system that previously has sent 17 players on to Notre Dame, most notably All-Americans such as F Alison Lester (Schaumburg HS), D Jen Grubb (Hoffman Estates/Conant HS) and Buczkowski (Elk Grove HS), plus Buczkowski’s fellow 2006 seniors, M Jill Krivacek (Geneva/Rosary HS) and D Kim Lorenzen (Naperville North HS), and current players Weber (Elk Grove/St. Viator’s HS), rising sophomore F/M Erica Iantorno (Hinsdale HS) and three Naperville natives who attended Neuqua Valley (Bock, Weissenhofer and Clark) … Chamberlain would follow recent forward and fellow Xavier Prep product Molly Iarocci (Carefree) as the second Arizona native to play for the Irish women’s soccer team.

HENDERSON BIO NOTES – First junior women’s soccer player ever named Gatorade National High School Player of the Year, in 2006-07 … only six other juniors (from any sport) ever have received the Gatorade national honor … one of the rising stars in U.S. Soccer’s national development program, currently training and competing with the U.S. Under-20 National Team (as one of two high school players with that elite youth program, along with Stanford signee Teresa Noyola) … her dominant three seasons at Berkner High School (in Richardson, Texas) included 66 goals and 45 assists (177 points) in 47 career games … is not playing her senior season at BHS, due to national-team commitments … five-year member of various youth national teams … already has played soccer on four different continents: with the Under-16 National Team in Asia (Japan); with the U-17s in South American (Argentina) and North America (Canada); and with the U-20s in Europe (England), North American (Mexico) and South America (Chile) … named a Parade All-American following her sophomore and junior seasons at Berkner HS … currently competing in Chile with the U-20s (games on Feb. 11, 13 and 15, vs. England, Norway and Chile) … later will look to help U.S. qualify for the 16-team FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, to be held Nov. 20-Dec. 7 (she would be able to play for the Irish in the ’08 regular season but likely would miss most or all of the postseason) … joined Noyola as the only high-school players named to the U.S. U-20 roster for the Pan-Am Games (July ’07, in Brazil; DNP due to injury) … earlier had scored twice in U-20’s win over the Leeds Ladies (in England; May ’07) … helped Texans reach 2007 USYS club nationals final, held in nearby Frisco, Texas … scored three goals in 4-0 win over the Michigan Hawks, during round-robin stage at ’07 nationals (she also scored both Texans goals in the 3-2 title-game loss to California power Eagles SC) … also advanced with the Texans to nationals in 2005, after winning Region III title … scored all the goals in 2007 state-cup win over the Sting (3-0) … helped Texans win the Disney Showcase in ’05-’06 and ’06-’07 seasons (she had four goals in five games at the DS, as a sophomore) … her talent-rich Texans teams (and current Sting team) included future ND teammates Barg and Schuveiller, plus Ashley Rape (a top-10 recruit headed for Duke; note that Barg spent the past few years playing for an older Texans squad) … her three-year scoring barrage at Berkner HS included 4G-15A as a freshman, 38G-18A as a sophomore and 24G-12A as a junior (despite helping fill in as a defensive sweeper and missing six games due to national-team duty) … set school record for career goals (66) and ranks second in assists (45), despite not playing as a senior … a two-time All-American and all-district performer for the BHS Rams (also district MVP and all-area) … attended the ESPN “ESPYs” event in 2007, after earning the Gatorade player-of-the-year award (Hanks also was at the ’07 ESPYs, as one of five finalists for 2006-07 college female athlete of the year) … began playing soccer as a four-year-old, making steady progress over the years to become the complete player that she is today … grew up idolizing former U.S. National Team standout Michele Akers, due to “the way she carries herself and her faith” … coached as a youth by her father Kelly Henderson … developed a love for soccer from her brother Jason, who is five years older … part-time member of the basketball and track teams at Berkner … carries a 3.6 GPA (favorite subject is English) … three-year member of the National Honor Society … also involved in student council and serves as student council senior class secretary … helps coach younger soccer players and is a member of Young Life.

See the following links for feature stories on Henderson:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/highschool/10/24/melissa.henderson/index.html

http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/Content/Article.mxp/ArticleID-6476fb27-91cd-4a58-9cb6-4241647fc5fb

http://www.risemag.com/main.cfm?actionID=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=newsArticle&categoryKey=2006POYGirlsSoccer

http://www.risemag.com/main.cfm?actionID=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=newsArticle&categoryKey=playerSoccer

WALDRUM COMMENTS ON HENDERSON – “Melissa is ranked as one of the top players in the country for a reason, and that’s because she is an outstanding all-around soccer player. She possesses great speed and is an amazing athlete, but she also is a skilled technical player who knows how to score goals. She is surprisingly strong and a 1-vs.-1 nightmare for opposing players, because there are so many ways she can beat you. Melissa clearly can run by opposing players but she even plays well with her back to the goal and she works hard defensively as a forechecking type of frontrunner, which is an important part of our style of play in terms of team defense.

“When you walk to those who have coached Melissa, their praise for her is very genuine and quite impressive. She has a fierce competitiveness and is intensely focused when she takes the field. She also is that rare player who can read the game several plays ahead and she can quickly change the point of attack on the dribble, which is a wonderful skill but one you typically would find more in a midfielder. I was very impressed to see the extra work she put in over the past few years to improve her mobility and defense while also developing her left foot. When it’s all said and done, this is a player who can take over games and keeps finding ways to put the ball in the net, much like Kerri Hanks. She has a great attitude and is very humble, which of course is great to see. We can’t wait to add Melissa to the mix and I think our offense will be fun to watch for years to come.”

HENDERSON ON HER DECISION – “Everything about Notre Dame made my decision easy. The beautiful campus, the crazy traditions, and the tremendous education made me want to become part of the Fighting Irish family forever.”

BARG BIO NOTES – Three-year member of youth national teams and a four-year NSCAA youth All-American (for 2004-07 seasons), also earning 2006 high school All-America honors from the NSCAA and Parade magazine (TBA for ’07-’08) … member of the U.S. Under-17 National Team in 2006, coached by Erica Walsh (currently the head coach at Penn State and an assistant with the full national team) … earlier was a member of the U.S. U-16s (’04 and ’05, coached by Sue Montagne Patberg) and with the U-15s, in 2004 (coached by Stephanie Gabbert) … attended U-17 National Team camps/tournaments in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Home Depot Center (Carson, Calif.); and Buenos Aires, Argentina (all in 2006) … 2005 camps with the U-16s took her to the HDC (twice), J-Village, Japan, and Boca Raton, Fla. (she also attended a 2004 U-16 camp at the HDC) … earlier attended two U-15 national camps at the HDC, plus a U-14 camp in Concord, Mass. (’03) … member of the ODP Region III team from 2003-06 (first with 1988 birthday group, then ’89s) … also competed with ODP North Texas state team from 2002-06 (’89s and ’88s) … attended 2003 and ’05 Region II camps in Montavello, Ala., while also competed with R-III at two inter-regional events in Boca Raton (’03, ’04) … also has competed and trained with the Region III group (all ’04) in Bradenton, Fla., Las Vegas (ODP nationals) and Houston … played alongside fellow ND signees Henderson and Schuveiller on elite Dallas Texans club team (U-13 and U-11, with 1990 birthday group; she later moved up to ’89s while the other two stayed with ’90s) … recently switched to Dallas Sting (along with Henderson, Schuveiller and former Texans coach Kenny Medina) for 2007-08 season (’90s; U-18)… played mostly with older 1989 age group while with the Texans (from 2002-07; earlier played with different ’90s Texans team from 2000-02) … has helped Sting win 2007 Premier League and LHGCL titles, with state, regional and national tournaments yet to come in the spring/summer of ’08 … member of Texans ’89s team that won 2007 state cup, Disney Showcase, league and LHGCL titles … helped lead Texans ’89s to 2006 USYS nations (in Des Moines, Iowa), after winning Region III title (also won league, LHGCL and Disney Showcase) … her 2005 Texans team was a Region III finalists (state cup champs) while the 2004 squad made a trip to USYS nationals (in Orlando), after winning Region III (also won Disney while being runner-up for state cup, league and LHGCL) … competed in Barcelona, Spain, at the 2002 Fox Kids Cup … joined Schuveiller in leading Plano West High School to the 2007 state 5A title (as juniors) … earned 2007 first team all-area area … named county and district newcomers of the year, as a freshman in 2005 … will not play for Plano West as a senior (spring ’08), due to club-team commitments … owns a 4.2 GPA … daughter of Robert and Mary Anne Barg … recent ND men’s soccer players Dale and Cory Rellas also attended Plano West, as did current freshman freestyle swimmer Kallyn Kuhlke.

WALDRUM COMMENTS ON BARG – “Courtney is the ultimate all-around player. She has unbelievable skill and sees the game better than most players her age. She is one of those players that we refer to as a `soccer junkie,’ and her knowledge is so far ahead of her peers. Courtney can play in multiple positions, but she will be an attacking force for us. Her experience with the U.S. national youth teams will certainly be an asset, and she simply knows how to win while playing for one of the top clubs in the country.”

BARG ON HER DECISION – “I feel extremely fortunate for the opportunity to not only play for such a renowned soccer program but also to attend one of the finest universities in the country. Notre Dame’s enduring academic reputation drew my attention from the start. The first time I saw the soccer team play under the leadership of Randy Waldrum, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. The combination of Randy’s coaching style and the team’s focus on camaraderie were key in my decision. When I visited the campus, the welcoming atmosphere made me feel at home. The traditions, spirit and pride of the school all made me feel apart of something special. I can’t wait to play for the Irish.”

SCHUVEILLER BIO NOTES – Traveled to Germany, Italy and Austria with the ODP Region III team … five-year member of the ODP North Texas state team … competed at 2007 ODP nationals … seven-year team captain of the elite Dallas Texans/Sting (Texans ’02-’07; Sting ’08), playing alongside fellow ND signees Henderson and Barg … helped Texans finish as national runner-up at the 2007 USYS tournament (in Frisco, Texas) … won two Region III titles with the Texans (’05 and ’07) … competed with the Texans at the ’05 USYS Nationals (in Orlando) … member of two Texans teams that won the Disney Showcase … three-year team captain at Plano West High School (including upcoming 2008 season), where she played alongside Barg … helped lead Plano West to 2007 state title … has earned all-district honors in each of her first three seasons at PWHS (also district MVP and an all-area selection), with her senior season upcoming in the spring of ’08 … member of the National Honor Society (3.85 GPA) … recent ND men’s soccer players Dale and Cory Rellas also attended Plano West, as did current freshman freestyle swimmer Kallyn Kuhlke.

WALDRUM COMMENTS ON SCHUVEILLER – “Jess reminds me of Melissa Tancredi, who anchored our national championship team in 2004. She has great athleticism and is absolutely tenacious around the ball. She will bring a toughness to the back line, and yet she has great attacking abilities as well. Jess knows how to win after playing on one of the top club teams in the country. She loves to get forward in the attack, yet her mindset is stopping people. She’ll be a great addition to our back line.”

SCHUVEILLER ON HER DECISION – “I love the traditions and spirit at Notre Dame. The beautiful campus, academic excellence and top soccer program separates Notre Dame from all other schools. I can’t wait to experience and live my dream as a part of the Fighting Irish family.”

CAMPBELL BIO NOTES – A two-time NSCAA youth All-American (’05-’06), also receiving 2007 NSCAA Scholar All-America honors … played with the Region II ODP team (’89s) from 2003-06 … toured Brazil (’07) and France (’05) with Region II team … attended 2006 USYS national training camp (Houston) and Boca Raton inter-regional events (’05, ’06) … invited to the 2004 ESP National Camp (Seattle) and also competed at the 2004 Texas Shootout, with Region II (Houston) .. attended 2003 USSF national Camp (Concord, Mass.) … played for Kansas ODP state team from 2003-06 (’89s) … one of the leading players for the KCFC Alliance Jazz club team that won the Kansas state cup in 2002 and ’03 (also ’07 runner and semifinalists in ’05 and ’06) … helped Jazz win 2007 Score at the Shore (Tampa), the ’07 Midwest All-Girls Championship (’06 semifinalist), the ’07 Omaha Showcase, the ’06 Best of the West (’04 semifinalist), the ’06 Germantown Invitational (Memphis, Tenn.), the ’06 Creighton Invitational, the ’05 D’feeters Thanksgiving Showcase (Dallas), two Kansas Invitationals (’04, ’05) and three Heritage Invitationals (’02-’04) … the team also was runner-up at the 2004 West Des Moines Friendship Games while winning league titles every year from 1999-2007 … helped lead St. Teresa’s Academy to a pair of Missouri state titles (class-2/large schools), in ’05 and ’06, with her senior season upcoming in the spring of ’08 … earned first team all-state and all-metro honors as a sophomore in 2006, after setting STA record for assists in a season (19) … has played alongside fellow ND signee Cunningham since their were nine years old (club and high school) … member of ’06 St. Teresa’s team that knocked off nation’s #1-ranked team (St. Joseph’s Academy) in state semifinals (3-0) before beating Fort Zumwaly in 4-0 final game … earlier helped beat Incarnate Word Academy (2-1) in ’05 state-title game … an honor-roll student every semester at STA … a national merit commended scholar … has served as yearbook sports editor while receiving Missouri High School Journalism awards for sports writing and design … daughter of Doug and Susan Campbell.

WALDRUM COMMENTS ON CAMPBELL – “Molly is one of the players we found years ago in our summer camp program. We have watched her development closely and she has become a premier midfield player. She has great technical ability with the ball and she possesses the mobility that is necessary to play in our system. Molly has a very good workrate and is an ultimate team player. She’ll compete very well right away in our program.”

CAMPBELL ON HER DECISION – “My decision to attend Notre Dame was an easy one. I immediately liked everything about the program – the coaching staff, the beautiful campus and the opportunity to play soccer on such a prestigious team while receiving a great education.”

JANTSCH BIO NOTES – Member of the Missouri ODP state team since 2004 (’90s), also serving as am ODP Region II alternate in 2007 (ODP R-II player pool from ’04-’06) … top player for the KCFC Alliance Jazz club team that won the Kansas state cup in 2002 and ’03 (also ’07 runner and semifinalists in ’05 and ’06) … helped Jazz win 2007 Score at the Shore (Tampa), the ’07 Midwest All-Girls Championship (’06 semifinalist), the ’07 Omaha Showcase, the ’06 Best of the West (’04 semifinalist), the ’06 Germantown Invitational (Memphis, Tenn.), the ’06 Creighton Invitational, the ’05 D’feeters Thanksgiving Showcase (Dallas), two Kansas Invitationals (’04, ’05) and three Heritage Invitationals (’02-’04) … the team also was runner-up at the 2004 West Des Moines Friendship Games while winning league titles every year from 1999-2007 … a three-year starting midfielder for St. Teresa’s Academy team that won class-2 (large schools) state titles in 2005 and ’06 (final season upcoming in spring of ’08) … has played alongside fellow ND signee Cunningham since their were nine years old (club and high school) … member of ’06 St. Teresa’s team that knocked off nation’s #1-ranked team (St. Joseph’s Academy) in state semifinals (3-0) before beating Fort Zumwaly in 4-0 final game … earlier helped beat Incarnate Word Academy (2-1) in ’05 state-title game … an honor-roll student every semester at STA … daughter of John and Carol Jantsch.

WALDRUM COMMENTS ON JANTSCH – “Ellen was a player we have seen in the club system, but we really got excited after seeing her in our camp. She has tremendous abilities with the ball and has developed that physical presence that she will need in the college game. Ellen is another player who can play in multiple positions and I think she’ll end up centrally in midfield or in the back. She is another highly competitive person, playing on the same high school team as Molly Campbell.”

JANTSCH – “Notre Dame is a place of opportunity – opportunities to develop academically and athletically and a chance to spend four years excelling with my teammates and in the classroom. I have been blessed with a privileged and comfortable life, one that has allowed me to take some of my blessings for granted. After attending soccer camp at Notre Dame two summers ago, and watching the women’s team play this year, I realized no other place would push me to develop as a person by providing me with the challenges and support to succeed.”

GERSTLE BIO NOTES – Has played as a forward, midfielder and defender during her youth soccer career … member of Kentucky ODP state program starting in 2006 … also part of ODP Region II player pool from 2005-07 … top player for the Javanon SC club program (’90s) since 1999 … has helped Javanon reach US Soccer club finals (’05) while also winning four state cups (’01, ’02, ’04, ’06) and being state runner-up in three other seasons (’03, ’05, ’07) … a four-time team MVP while totaling 190 career points (57G-76A) at Assumption High School … received all-region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association, as a senior in 2007 … named first team all-state in each of her final three seasons (honorable mention as a freshman) … her yearly scoring totals included 9G-19A as a freshman, 18G-18A as a sophomore, 14G-22A as a junior and 16G-17A as a senior … a 2007 all-tournament pick at the Region 6 tournament and the Male High School Bulldog Cup, also helping AHS win ’07 Bluegrass State Games … named all-tournament as a junior at the 2006 District 13 tournament and the Fayette County Soccer Spectacular, while helping team with the BSG and MHS Bulldog Cup … led 2005 team to the state semifinals, earning all-tournament honors (she also was all-tournament at the District 13 event and the Oldham Country Bluegrass tournament) … AHS won the ’05 BSG and OCB tournament while being a finalist at the Bulldog Cup … her freshman season in ’04 also saw AHS reach the state semifinals, after winning the Bulldog Cup and reaching the OCB final … member of the National Honor Society, principal’s list and honor roll (3.9 GPA) … a four-year class officer and member of the student-faculty advisory board … recent ND golfer Lauren Fuchs (’00) and current Irish volleyball sophomore outside hitter Christina Kaelin also attended Assumption.

WALDRUM COMMENTS ON GERSTLE – “Brynn is another player who we found in our summer camp program. We love her athleticism and think she can play in several positions for us. She has good size, great mobility and is a very competitive person. We see her playing more in a defensive position for us, as she should make a great back in our system.”

GERSTLE ON HER DECISION – “The decision to attend Notre Dame and play soccer for the Irish was not a difficult one. I have always hoped to attend an academically challenging university and dreamed of playing for an elite college soccer team. When the opportunity presented itself, I knew immediately that I would be glad to work as hard as necessary both on and off the field in order to become a part of Notre Dame. As a young camper the summer after my freshman year in high school, I simply fell in love with Notre Dame soccer. The team and staff are welcoming and dedicated to the sport I love, the campus is awesome, and the academics will be all I want and more. Right now there is nothing I look forward to more than putting on an Irish jersey this fall. I feel extremely blessed and honored to have been provided with this amazing opportunity!”

BARTINDALE BIO NOTES – Four-year member and 2007 team captain of the Illinois state ODP squad … invited to ODP Region II camp from 2004-07 (R-II player pool in ’05) … longtime member of the Fox Valley Strikers club team that has won numerous tournaments, including CASL Raleigh Shootout, Palatine Celtic Cup, Metro United Cup, Greensboro Labor Day Tournament, Sporting FC Tournament, and Volvo International … won her first championship at the age of 10, at the Jr. Irish Invitational that was held on the practice fields at Notre Dame … reached several state semifinals and finals with the Strikers, in addition to being finalists at Surf Cup, Score at the Shore, Germantown College Showcase, Phoenix President’s Day Cup, Watermelon Tournament, and Just For Girls Tournament (Des Moines, Iowa) … received all-area, all-conference and academic all-conference honors for St. Charles East High School team that ranked fourth in state of Illinois during her senior season (2007) … four-year starter who assisted on tying goal (sending game into OT) against nationally-ranked and eventual state champion Waubonsie Valley in 2007 supersectionals … led SCEHS to regional and sectional titles as a junior captain in ’06 … totaled 6G-6A from her defender position while helping team allow only nine regular-season goals … state finalist for Wendy’s High School Heisman award … her academic honors (5.7 GPA on 5.0 scale; #4 in class) include: Notre Dame Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, national merit commended student and national Latin exam … served as sophomore class president and VP of student council executive board … named to Daily Herald leadership team and Chronicle achievement program … four-time recipient of human-relations award … an ODP inner-city volunteer soccer coach … board member with the Downtown St. Charles Partnership … also active in Appalachian Service Project and a peer leadership mentor … has trained with former Notre Dame midfielder Jill Krivacek (’03-’06) … her mother (Katie Krag ’82) and uncle (Jim LaCesa ’52) both are Notre Dame graduates while her brother (Michael Bartindale) currently is a sophomore at ND … daughter of Mike and Katie Bartindale … several St. Charles natives have played for ND teams over the years, including All-America distane runner Rick Worlhuter (’71), Academic All-America baseball third baseman Rich Vanthrounout (’86), hockey goaltender Mickey Kaeppel (’83) and backstroke swimmer Kristin Broderick (’93).

WALDRUM COMMENTS ON BARTINDALE – “Ellen is a player who has been around the ND program for years, having played on campus as a 10-year-old. She has developed into a player that we feel can help us defensively, most likely as an outside back. She is athletic, strong, and her technical ability is very sound. She comes from a successful program as well.”

BARTINDALE ON HER DECISION – “Attending Notre Dame has been my dream for as long as I can remember. Before I even kicked my first soccer ball, I knew that I wanted to wear the gold and blue. As soccer took over my life, my obsession with Notre Dame grew, and the first day I spoke with coach Waldrum will be etched in my memory forever. The program, the girls, the campus, the coaches, the tradition and the atmosphere are all so unique to Notre Dame, and I can’t imagine playing or going to school anywhere else. I feel truly lucky and honored to be a part of the Irish tradition!”

CHAMBERLAIN BIO NOTES – Member of the Arizona state ODP team (’89s) from 2002-06 … also part of ODP Region IV player pool in 2006 … invited to ODP Region IV camp from 2003-06 … helped lead her state team to ODP Region IV Championship in Las Vegas (2003-06) … member of elite Sereno club team (90 White) since 2004 … Sereno currently is ranked the nation’s #2 club for U-18 girls and was rated #1 in the nation in 2006, per gotsoccer.com (for best overall soccer club and top U-17 girls club) … helped Sereno reach the USYS Region IV semifinals in 2005 and quarterfinals in ’06 … four-time state champion with Sereno (2004-07), also winning the Surf Cup in ’06 (’07 semifinalist), the SC Del Sol President’s Day Cup in ’07 (’06 finalist) and the Eclipse College Showcase in ’07 … has competed with Sereno at four Disney Showcases (2005-08) … traveled to Brazil for a 2004 international training tour with San Diego-based Pro-Select club team … began playing soccer at the age of six … graduated from Xavier College Prep (in Phoenix with a 4.22 GPA … her academic honors include National Honor Society (Regina Caeli Chapter), National French Honor Society, first honor roll (every semester) and academic letter … her numerous volunteer activities include being a French tutor, Big Sister Little Sister Club and the Arizona Grand Senior Center … other Xavier Prep products to play for Notre Dame have included mid-90s butterfly women’s swimmer Haley Scott, volleyball setter Kelly Burrell (’06), fellow soccer play Iarocci (’07) and current freshman freestyle swimmer Delia Cronin … her sister Jessica Chamberlain is a two-time graduate of Notre Dame (’04 undergrad; ’05 master’s of science).

WALDRUM COMMENTS ON CHAMBERLAIN – “Haley plays for one of the top clubs in the west region, Sereno Soccer Club. She is an outside back with a strong physical presence and good athleticism. Haley is competent with the ball and has a good understanding of her role as an outside player. She’s extremely competitive and will bring some added toughness to our program.”

CHAMBERLAIN ON HER DECISION – “From the first time I visited Notre Dame, back in fifth grade, I loved everything about it – the campus, the sports, the school spirit. I knew it would be a wonderful place to receive an excellent education and to play soccer. As an 11-year-old, I never thought it would be possible for me to play soccer for the Irish. And now I am very excited that it has become a reality. Once I met the coaches, team, and other incoming freshmen, I was confident that Notre Dame would be a great fit for me. I am looking forward to a great academic experience as well as being a part of the tremendous athletic tradition of the Fighting Irish. I can’t wait to join the Notre Dame family and the soccer team!”