#8 Michael Thomas 2008-09 Men's Soccer Roster

Two-time team captain •played in 83 matches, including 81 starts •received third-team Academic All-America honors as a senior •a first-team all-BIG EAST pick as a senior •all-BIG EAST second team during his junior season •two-time All-Great Lakes Region second-team selection (2008 & 2009) •NSCAA Scholar All-America first team as a senior and was a second-team pick as a junior •earned four monograms •received the team[apos]s MVP and scholar-athlete award during his senior campaign •a three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star • selected by the San Jose Earthquakes in the second round (19th overall pick) of the 2010 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

AS A SENIOR: A first-team all-BIG EAST honoree •was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America third team •TopDrawerSoccer.com national first team •NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region second team •NSCAA Scholar All-America first team •received the Notre Dame Monogram Club Team MVP award and the Knute Rockne Scholar-Athlete award •served as a team captain for the second straight season •Lowe[apos]s Senior CLASS Award candidate •second among all Irish players with 18 points •had six goals and a team-best six assists •attempted 50 shots •assisted on Notre Dame[apos]s first goal (26th minute) in a 5-0 triumph of Michigan in the season opener •netted the equalizer on a penalty kick in the 77th minute in a 1-1 draw against Wake Forest in the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic • was named to the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic all-tournament team • tallied the game[apos]s second goal (60th minute) in a 3-0 win over Seattle in the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament •was selected to the Berticelli all-tournament team •dished out a career-high two assists in a 2-1 win at DePaul in the BIG EAST opener •scored the first goal (49th minute) and assisted on the second Irish goal in a 4-0 victory over Louisville •named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll for his performance against the Cardinals •tallied the equalizer in the 51st minute in a 2-1 win over Seton Hall •gave the Irish a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute in a 2-1 overtime victory at Georgetown •collected an assist in the game[apos]s lone goal in a 1-0 win at Pittsburgh •knotted the Connecticut match in the 28th minute and the Irish wound up winning 2-1 in overtime • assisted on Notre Dame[apos]s first goal in a 2-2 draw against USF in the BIG EAST Championship quarterfinals •selected to the BIG EAST Championship all-tournament team • earned his fourth monogram.

AS A JUNIOR: A starter in all 21 matches • second on the team in goals (8) and total points (21) along with tying for second in assists with five • all of those offensive numbers were career-high totals • ranked third in the BIG EAST Conference in points per game • selected to NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region second team and the all-BIG EAST second team • assisted on a goal in a 4-1 win over Duke at the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic • scored a goal in both games of the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament in helping the Irish to the title with wins over Dartmouth (2-1) and fifth-ranked USF (5-0) • chosen as the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament offensive MVP as well as being named to the all-tournament team • upped his goal streak to three games with a tally (55th minute) in a 4-1 win over Marquette in the BIG EAST opener • scored a goal in back-to-back 3-0 wins over Syracuse and Cincinnati • registered a goal and an assist in a 3-0 triumph of Michigan State • notched an assist in a 4-1 besting of Pittsburgh • netted the team[apos]s lone goal in a 3-1 loss at Indiana • tallied a goal (51st minute) in a 3-1 win over Providence • named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll on Oct. 20 following his effort against the Hoosiers and Friars • assisted on Jack Traynor[apos]s goal in a 2-1 setback to Northwestern in the second round of the NCAA Championship • a BIG EAST Academic All-Star • earned a monogram.

AS A SOPHOMORE: Started all 16 games in which he played • compiled four points on two goals • missed eight games following a jaw injury that was suffered in the season-opener, a 2-1 overtime win against No. 1 UCLA • returned to the Irish lineup in a 3-0 triumph of No. 16 Michigan • tallied the team[apos]s third goal (15th minute) in a 3-0 win at Pittsburgh • put Notre Dame on the board in the fifth minute in a 2-1 victory over DePaul in the BIG EAST Championship semifinals in Storrs, Conn. • named to the BIG EAST Academic All-Star Team • earned a monogram.

AS A FRESHMAN: Made major contributions for the Fighting Irish during his rookie season • two-time BIG EAST Rookie of the Week (Oct. 16 & Oct. 23) • played in all 23 matches, making 21 starts • tallied eight points on three goals and two assists • his point total tied him for fifth on the team • notched his first collegiate point with an assist on Notre Dame[apos]s second goal in a 2-0 win over Seton Hall • began a four-game point streak with the second goal in a 3-0 triumph of Michigan State • netted the second tally in a 3-0 victory over Providence • assisted on the team[apos]s lone goal in a 2-1 setback at No. 4 West Virginia • scored the game[apos]s only goal in a 1-0 victory at No. 14 Connecticut in the regular-season finale • named to the 2006-07 BIG EAST Academic All-Star Team • earned a monogram.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Had a stellar career at St. Thomas Aquinas High School • a four-year starter and a valuable member of three state championship teams • a two-time All-American and a three-time all-state and all-city selection • named all-conference all four years • a 2005 NSCAA/adidas All-American • all-Midwest region first team • first-team all-state selection in Kansas • was named the player of the year by the Kansas City Star • named team MVP and most inspirational player for his 2005 St. Thomas Aquinas squad • prep team went undefeated three of his seasons along with garnering a national ranking • two-time team captain and team MVP • named 2005-06 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year • one of two soccer players nationally recognized by EA Sports as an All-American scholar athlete • received honorable mention distinction for the academic all-state team • ranks in the career top-10 at St. Thomas Aquinas for goals scored (41), assists (28) and points (110) • also ranks in the top-10 for goals in a season (19) and points in a season (47) • competed in the Missouri-Kansas all-star game • inspired a new award at St. Thomas Aquinas `The Heart of Saints Soccer[apos] • co-captain of his Region II ODP team • has international experience as he has already competed in tournaments in Italy and Spain • traveled to England with his club team, the KC Legends, in 2001 • also served as a co-captain on his Kansas State ODP squad • has been invited to participate in the adidas ESP camp • is an All-American, along with being a co-captain, for his KC Legends club team • from the same area as former Irish teammate Matt Besler • born March 8, 1988 • son of John and Deborah Thomas • has an older brother • graduated from the College of Arts and Letters in May, 2010 with a psychology degree.

Thomas[apos] Career Statistics