NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team is pleased to announce two additions to their incoming class. Defender Aba Dunbar and forward Hulda Osk Jonsdittor are both heading to South Bend next fall to complete the incoming class. Head coach Nate Norman is excited for the pair that will be joining the Irish on campus next season.
“We are very excited to add Hulda and Aba to an already very strong class,” said Norman. “Both of them are very talented on the field but are wonderful people off the field. We believe we have one of the strongest recruiting classes in the country and can’t wait to work with every one of these women.”
Dunbar is a defender from Coronado, California and comes to the Irish from a family of athletes. Her dad is a Notre Dame alum and rowed crew while her mom played basketball at the Naval Academy. She played club with LAFC Slammers and has had multiple runs in the US National Team player pool from 2015-18.
Osk comes to South Bend from Akureyri, Iceland after attending the University of Akureyri and Húsavík College. She rose through the youth ranks in Iceland and played at least 29 games with every level of the Icelandic Youth National Team. She has tallied over 160 caps with the highest senior level team in Iceland.
Check out both players full bios below before they get on campus this fall.
Aba Dunbar
Defender
Coronado, California
Coronado HS (LAFC Slammers)
- Played on the U14 and U15 US Girls National Team
- Member of the US National Team player pool from 2015-2018 and the US Olympic Development player pool in 2017
- Received 3 “Islander Awards” from Coronado High School for Academic Excellence
- Involved in Community Service with the Junior Optimist Octagon International Club
- Played club for LAFC Slammers and coach Ziad Khoury
- Named to the 2018 USSDA National Tournament Best XI
- Finished runner-up at the 2019 ECNL National Championship
- 2019 ECNL Southwest Conference Champions
- Also won the ECNL Southwest Conference in 2017
- 2016 Cal South National Cup Champions (State Champions)
- 2016 Far West Regional Finalist
- Daughter to Christian and Kelly Dunbar
- Dad rowed crew at Notre Dame and mom played basketball at the Naval Academy
- One of five siblings
- Undecided on a major
Aba on why she chose Notre Dame:
“I chose to commit to the University of Notre Dame because I want to attend a school where I will be surrounded by good people. I love the environment that students, student-athletes, and faculty members alike have created there; everyone is constantly challenging themselves in their respective fields, while also intently serving others.”
Norman on Aba:
“Aba is a very technical and smart player that can play in the midfield or in the back line. She is very strong on the defensive end, whether it be winning 50/50 challenges or in 1v1 battles. She is very strong in possession and has a fantastic range of pass. We believe she will be a perfect fit for our program and are very excited to have her next year.”
Hulda Ósk Jónsdóttir
Forward
Akureyri, Iceland
University of Akureyri (Þór/KA)
- Tallied over 160 caps with the highest senior level team in Iceland
- Has played 29 games at each level of the Icelandic Youth National Team
- Played club for Þór/KA and coach Andri Hjörvar Albertsson
- Won the National Champion with Þór/KA in 2017 and Champions of the Champions in 2018
- Clinched the Reykjavík Championship with KR in 2016
- Named Most Promising Player for Völsungur in 2013, KR in 2015 and Þór/KA in 2016
- Daughter to Jón Helgi Vigfússon and Sólveig Ómarsson
- Has three siblings; Viktor, Vigfús and Elfa
- Intends to pursue a Masters degree in Nonprofit Administration
Hulda on why she chose Notre Dame:
“Notre Dame has all the qualities that I’ve been dreaming of for a long time and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to be a part of this family. Playing and studying in this kind of environment will help me become a better player and a person. Can‘t wait!”
Norman on Hulda:
“Hulda is an extremely dynamic attacking player who has played at the highest level in Iceland for a number of years. We expect Hulda to come in and make an immediate impact. She is a very dangerous 1v1 attacking player who can create a high volume of chances for herself and her teammates. She is a really fun and exciting player to watch and we can’t wait to have her as part of our program going forward.”
—ND—