Feb. 3, 2012
Class of 2012 Photo Gallery (check back for further updates as new photos become available)
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame head women’s soccer coach Randy Waldrum announced Friday that eight student-athletes have chosen to continue their academic and athletic careers with the Fighting Irish, declaring their commitment to enroll at Notre Dame beginning in the fall of 2012. Collectively, Top Drawer Soccer has ranked the Fighting Irish Class of 2012 as the No. 1 incoming freshman class in the nation.
Anna Maria Gilbertson, a 5-8 forward (Davis, Calif./Davis HS/Davis Legacy), Katie Naughton, a 5-10 defender (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Elk Grove HS/Sockers FC Chicago), Cari Roccaro, a 5-7 forward/midfielder (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip HS/Albertson Fury), Mary Schwappach, a 5-10 midfielder/forward (Denver, Colo./Mullen HS/Colorado Rush), Crystal Thomas, a 5-3 forward (Elgin, Ill./Wheaton Academy/Sockers FC Chicago), Brittany Von Rueden, a 5-11 defender (Mequon, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels HS/FC Milwaukee) and Glory Williams, a 5-8 midfielder (Dallas, Texas/Lake Highlands HS/Sting Dallas), each made their official commitments to Notre Dame by submitting National Letters of Intent during the current signing period that began Feb. 1.
In addition, Stephanie Campo, a 5-7 defender (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge HS/PDA) already has accepted an offer of early admission to Notre Dame and will be joining the Fighting Irish Class of 2012. There also are likely to be additions to the full class once similar offers of admission have been accepted and received by the University.
Seven of the eight incoming Fighting Irish freshmen are ranked among the top 60 in the latest ESPNHS Top 150, including five in the top 32, paced by Roccaro (No. 4), Naughton (No. 9) and Von Rueden (No. 15), and followed closely by Gilbertson (No. 30), Williams (No. 32), Campo (No. 42) and Thomas (No. 58).
A look at the latest Top Drawer Soccer club soccer player ratings reveals similar high marks for the newest additions to the Notre Dame women’s soccer program. Five-star selections Roccaro (No. 5 in nation), Naughton (No. 10) and Williams (No. 15) lead the way, followed by four-star choices Campo (No. 39), Thomas (No. 55) and Von Rueden (No. 59), while both Gilbertson and Schwappach are Top Drawer Soccer three-star picks.
“This could be one of our best signing classes ever, certainly comparable to the incoming groups in 2005 (that included Kerri Hanks, Brittany Bock and Carrie Dew) and 2008 (highlighted by Melissa Henderson, Jessica Schuveiller and Courtney Barg),” Waldrum said. “Included in this year’s class are three U.S. National Team age-group players (Roccaro, Naughton and Von Rueden), as well as three more (Williams, Gilbertson and Schwappach) that are `blue chip’ players who could find themselves on a national team before their careers are over. It’s loaded with talent, and talent that is versatile, which we love here in our program due to the way we play.
“There are two more players — both goalkeepers — to be added to this class whom we can’t talk about until they accept their admittance,” Waldrum added. “We will release those names at a later date. Overall, this is a large class, which is unusual for us, but it’s a class that will come in and impact our program right away. I believe the fans are going to love watching this group play!”
Three-time national champion Notre Dame returns eight starters and 12 monogram winners from last year’s squad that posted a 10-8-3 record and advanced to the NCAA Championship for the 19th consecutive season. Led by Waldrum (who also recently assumed the reins of the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team program), 2011 all-BIG EAST Conference midfielder Mandy Laddish (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Lee’s Summit), 2010 all-conference midfielder Elizabeth Tucker (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny) and 2011 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team forward Lauren Bohaboy (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita), the Fighting Irish will open their abbreviated spring schedule next month before turning their attention to summer workouts and preparation for next season, with the full schedule for the 2012 campaign expected to be announced late this spring.
For more information on the Notre Dame women’s soccer program, join the Fighting Irish women’s soccer news Twitter page (@NDsoccernews) or sign up for the Irish ALERT text-messaging system through the “Fan Center” pulldown menu on the main page at UND.com.
A capsule look at the newest additions to the Notre Dame women’s soccer program follows:
STEPHANIE CAMPO, 5-7, Defender (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge High School/PDA)
Individual Rankings: Ranked 39th in the 2012 Top Drawer Soccer club soccer player ratings (four-star ranking; No. 3 in New Jersey region) … ranked 42nd in the 2012 ESPNHS 150.
National/Olympic Development Program (ODP)/Club Team: Member of 2009 United States Under-15 Girls’ National Team player pool with fellow incoming freshmen Katie Naughton and Cari Roccaro … was part of player pool with ODP Region I Team from 2007-09, making final squad in 2009 … competed in 2008 and 2009 ODP Thanksgiving Interregionals … also spent time with New Jersey ODP squad from 2006-10 … spent nine seasons with PDA (Player Development Academy) club program in Zarepath, N.J., led by director of coaching Mike O’Neill … PDA has consistently been ranked among the nation’s top clubs for many years, including a No. 1 ranking in December 2011 by Soccer America … helped PDA to Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) national championship round in 2010 and 2011 … also earned berth in 2011 U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) Region I finals after winning 2010 USYS Region I Premier League title, making finals in 2009 and winning USYS Region I crown in 2006 … won New Jersey state championships in 2010 and 2011 … team also claimed 2009 Disney Showcase title … 2011 NSCAA All-Region II selection.
High School: On track to graduate from Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, N.J., this spring … played for head coach Katie Donahue … served as team captain during senior season (2011), and was everyday starter on varsity team since her freshman year … had team-high six goals, eight assists in 2011 … led team to pair of New Jersey North Jersey Section II titles (2008, 2011), and subsequent berths in New Jersey Group IV finals … team also won 2008 Skyland Conference crown … two-time all-state selection (2010, 2011) … earned all-Somerset County, Courier News all-area, and all-Skyland Conference honors in 2011.
Personal Data: Born Feb. 6, 1994, in Morristown, N.J. … full name is Stephanie Lynn Campo … daughter of Lynn and Bob Campo … has younger sister, Lauren … will be the seventh New Jersey native to play for the Fighting Irish and first since Micaela Alvarez (Cranbury/Peddie School) completed her career in 2009 … program pioneer and 1989 Fighting Irish co-captain Joy Sisolak also came to Notre Dame from Basking Ridge, N.J., matriculating from Immaculata High School before playing in the midfield for the Fighting Irish from 1988-89 (13 goals, three assists in 40 career matches).
Did You Know?: Played one season of varsity basketball at Ridge High School before electing to focus full-time on soccer … has served regularly at Ridge Oak Senior Housing in Basking Ridge, N.J., helping senior residents plant vegetable gardens during the summer, and even helping serve food and coffee to residents last August following Hurricane Irene … has participated in Berkeley Heights 5K Charity Road Race/Fitness Walk three times (2008, 2009, 2011), winning the women’s 19-and-under category this past year … is a published poet … is obsessed with Harry Potter novels … took a guided tour into the Grand Canyon when she was 13 … vacations regularly with her family in Cape May, N.J. (considered her second home).
Waldrum on Campo…
“Stephanie is a big, strong left back who plays for PDA, one of the premier clubs in the country. She has great attacking ability coming out of the back which is the way we play here at Notre Dame. She is technical, serves a great cross, yet also has the physical strength to be a great ball-winning player in the defense. She will immediately influence our back line, has the `heart of a champion’ and very competitive!”
ANNA MARIA GILBERTSON, 5-8, Forward (Davis, Calif./Davis High School/Davis Legacy)
Individual Rankings: Ranked 30th in the 2012 ESPNHS 150 … earned three-star rating in 2012 Top Drawer Soccer club soccer player ratings.
National/ODP/Club Team: Called in to March 2011 training camp with United States Under-18 Women’s National Team, joining a roster that also included fellow incoming freshmen Katie Naughton and Cari Roccaro … has been member of ODP Region IV Team for past two years (2010, 2011) … part of ODP Thanksgiving Interregional in 2011 … competed in ECNL/id2 National Camp in February 2011 … played for Davis Legacy club program under head coach Jason Hotaling … teams won four tournaments in 2010-11, as well as 2009 Disney Soccer Showcase.
High School: Poised to graduate from Davis High School in Davis, Calif., this spring … plays for head coach Sara Stone, who took over last month for the retiring Allen Carlson … piled up 72 goals in past two seasons on DHS varsity (2009-10 and 2010-11), including a personal-best 43 goals and 11 assists as a senior in 2010-11 … helped Blue Devils to combined 50-4-4 record in those two seasons … team was California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champion in 2011 after falling in 2010 title match on penalties … DHS was a consensus top-12 team in all the final major national rankings for 2011 (fifth by NSCAA, seventh by ESPN RISE, 12th by MaxPreps) … twice won Delta Valley Conference championship (2010 and 2011) … also part of undefeated DHS junior varsity side in 2008-09 … 2011 ESPN RISE All-American (second team) … two-time all-state selection (2010, 2011) …2011 Sacramento Bee Player of the Year … two-time Delta Valley Conference Player of the Year (2010, 2011) … two-time Sacramento all-city selection (2010, 2011).
Personal Data: Born Aug. 9, 1994, in Woodland, Calif. … daughter of Dr. Maria and Robert Gilbertson … will be one of three Californians on the 2012 Notre Dame roster, along with rising senior goalkeeper Maddie Fox (San Jose) and rising sophomore forward Lauren Bohaboy (Mission Viejo) … set to be second Davis, Calif., resident to play for Fighting Irish, following in footsteps of goalkeeper Sani Post, who was primary reserve between the pipes on Notre Dame’s 1999 NCAA national runner-up and 2000 NCAA national semifinalist teams.
Did You Know?: Is one-half Costa Rican with portion of her mother’s side of family still living in Costa Rica … fluent in Spanish … a talented musician and animal lover.
Waldrum on Gilbertson…
“Anna Maria is a very technical player and a slashing-type forward who is creative and very dangerous. She is great running at people and can also solve problems in tight spaces. She has good size and is athletic as well. She’ll be a great addition to our attack and a player that will contribute for us right away.”
KATIE NAUGHTON, 5-10, Defender (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Elk Grove High School/Sockers FC Chicago)
Individual Rankings: Ranked ninth in the 2012 ESPNHS 150 … ranked 10th in the 2012 Top Drawer Soccer club soccer player ratings (five-star ranking; No. 1 in Midwest region).
National/ODP/Club Team: Has been a mainstay in the U.S. National Team age-group system since 2009 (currently with U-18s) … joined rising sophomore midfielder/forward Karin Simonian, rising sophomore defender/midfielder Taylor Schneider and fellow incoming freshman forward/midfielder Cari Roccaro and defender Brittany Von Rueden in the 2011 U-18 and 2010 U-17 National Team player pools … also was part of 2009 U-15 National Team player pool with Roccaro, Von Rueden and fellow incoming freshman forward Stephanie Campo … started all four matches for U-17 National Team at 2010 U-16 Nordic Cup in Denmark (USA won title, outscoring its four opponents by a combined 13-1 margin) … also has played extensively with ODP Region II Team since 2009 and Illinois State ODP Team from 2007-10 … competed in ODP Thanksgiving Interregional from 2008-11 … participated in February 2011 ECNL/id2 National Camp … has been part of Sockers FC Chicago club program for many years, currently playing for head coach Oleg Vatchev … played for same club with fellow incoming freshman forward Crystal Thomas … three members of the 2004 Notre Dame national championship — Jen Buczkowski, Jill Krivacek and Kim Lorenzen — also came out of the Sockers FC Chicago club program … two-time NSCAA Youth All-American (2010, 2011).
High School: On track to graduate from Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove Village, Ill., this spring … plays for head coach Daniel Klaus … has started all three prep seasons to date (soccer is spring sport in Illinois), registering career totals of eight goals and 21 assists despite playing almost exclusively in defensive third … has been team captain all four seasons of high school … had career-high three goals as freshman (2008-09) and junior (2010-11) … delivered career-high nine assists as junior (2010-11) … led defense to 15 shutouts in past two seasons, despite playing in Mid-Suburban League (widely considered strongest conference in the state) … runner-up for Illinois Gatorade High School Player of the Year in 2010 … two-time Chicago Tribune all-state choice (second team in 2010; first team in 2011) … three-time Northwest All-Area Team selection (2009, 2010, 2011) … three-time all-conference pick (2009, 2010, 2011).
Personal Data: Born Feb. 15, 1994, in Vail, Colo. … full name is Kathleen Naughton … daughter of Claire and Tom Naughton … latest in strong pipeline of talent to come to Notre Dame from the Chicagoland area (and the state of Illinois), including a pair of Elk Grove natives in standout defenders Jen Buczkowski (2003-06) and Elise Weber (2007-08) … interested in pursuing a major in archaeology or psychology at Notre Dame, with a minor in Spanish.
Did You Know?: Also ran track in junior high school and still holds that school’s record for the mile run … has ridden in a hot-air balloon in New Mexico (home of world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta) … has visited three different continents … has walked up a waterfall during a family vacation to Jamaica … while she is an only child, her mother is the oldest of 11 children.
Waldrum on Naughton…
“Katie is a Chicago-area player that we’ve had our eye on for some time now. She is a central defender who continues to just get better and better. She is currently on our U.S. Under-18 National Team where she is a consistent player for that squad. She has great size and will be a great addition to our defense as a prototype center back. She will add some much needed `bite’ to our back line, and some leadership to our team as well.”
CARI ROCCARO, 5-7, Forward/Midfielder (East Islip, N.Y./East Islip High School/Albertson Fury)
Individual Rankings: Ranked fourth in the 2012 ESPNHS 150 … ranked fifth in the 2012 Top Drawer Soccer club soccer player ratings (five-star ranking; No. 1 in New York region).
National/ODP/Club Team: Has been fixture within United States National Team age-group system since 2008, working her way up from the Under-14 squad to her current spot as a teammate with Notre Dame rising junior midfielder/forward Mandy Laddish in 2012 U-20 National Team pool (will be participating in CONCACAF U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Panama next month, and currently is in La Manga, Spain, for Four Nations Tournament) … joined rising sophomore midfielder/forward Karin Simonian, rising sophomore defender/midfielder Taylor Schneider and fellow incoming freshman defenders Katie Naughton and Brittany Von Rueden in the 2011 U-18 and 2010 U-17 National Team player pools … was member of USA side that was a finalist at 2010 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Costa Rica (did not allow a goal in five matches with 38-0 aggregate, but missed World Cup berth after falling to Canada on penalties in semifinals following scoreless draw) … started three times and came off bench in a fourth during the 2010 U-17 WWC Qualifier, scoring goal against Haiti in first match … started and played every minute in all four matches for U-17 National Team at 2010 U-16 Nordic Cup in Denmark (USA won title, outscoring its four opponents by a combined 13-1 margin) … wore United States captain’s armband for 2010 Nordic Cup title match win over Germany … also was part of 2009 U-15 Girls’ National Team player pool with Naughton, Von Rueden and fellow incoming freshman forward Stephanie Campo … member of ODP Region I Team from 2007-10 and Eastern New York state ODP squad from 2005-10 … played for same Albertson Fury club program as Simonian, learning under the direction of head coach Paul Riley … helped club to pair of Eastern New York state cup titles (2009, 2011), as well as Region I championship (2009) and Region I Premier League first-place finish (2011) … club also earned three National Elite Women’s Soccer Showcase (NEWSS) crowns in 2008, 2009 and 2011, along with the 2009 Jefferson Cup … spent time with Long Island Fury in Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), pairing with Simonian to help that squad win 2009 WPSL National Championship … two-time NSCAA Youth All-American (2010, 2011) … named to ECNL All-Event Team in Sanford (2011).
High School: Set to graduate from East Islip High School in Islip Terrace, N.Y., this spring … played for head coach Julie Susskind … started all five seasons on varsity (beginning in eighth grade), while serving as team captain the past three years (2009-11) … amassed 39 goals and 19 assists during her prep career … led East Islip to New York state semifinals in 2008, following Long Island and Suffolk County Class AA titles … team also won three Suffolk County League III championships (2008, 2009, 2011) … two-time NSCAA High School All-American (2010, 2011) … Parade Magazine All-American (2010) … ESPNHS first-team All-American (2010) … NSCAA New York State Player of the Year (2011) … three-time all-state selection (2008, 2010, 2011) … Long Island Player of the Year (2011) … three-time all-Long Island choice (2008, 2010, 2011) … two-time Suffolk County High School Player of the Year (2010, 2011) … three-time all-Suffolk County pick (2008, 2010, 2011) … three-time Newsday Player To Watch (2009, 2010, 2011) …three-time all-conference selection (2008, 2010, 2011) … Suffolk County Class AA Finals MVP (2008) … Suffolk County All-League Academic Team (2011) … National Honor Society.
Personal Data: Born July 18, 1994, in East Islip, N.Y. … daughter of Mary and Tom Roccaro … has older sister, Kristyn, who is a sophomore at Binghamton University.
Did You Know?: Ran track for two seasons (2008, 2009) in high school, earning two all-conference citations … holds school record in 400-meter dash … won 2009 Suffolk County Division II title in 400 meters … member of Girls Leaders Club … volunteers with “Just For Kicks,” a program that works with young autistic soccer players … has a reputation as a practical joker.
Waldrum on Roccaro…
“Cari is one of the best players coming out this year and has been a member of our United States Under-17 and Under-18 national teams, as well as our current U-20 National Team that will travel to Panama for qualifications for the U-20 World Cup this summer in Japan. She possesses great size and strength, much like a Melissa Tancredi, and is a very good athlete. She is extremely versatile playing in the defense for the U.S. U-17 World Cup team, and playing in midfield and up front with her Albertson Fury team. She will be one that will come in and impact our program right away.”
MARY SCHWAPPACH, 5-10, Midfielder/Forward (Denver, Colo./Mullen High School/Colorado Rush)
Individual Rankings: Earned three-star ranking in the 2012 Top Drawer Soccer club soccer player ratings.
ODP/Club Team: Played for Colorado ODP team that won three consecutive state cups (2008-10) … team also finished third in nation at 2010 USYS Nationals after winning Region IV championship (Schwappach scored winning goal in title match) … also won 2010 ODP Region IV crown … played extensively for Colorado Rush club program for head coach Tim Schulz … club program was ranked No. 5 nationally in December 2011 article by Soccer America … saw most experience in ECNL play, registering 47 goals and 57 assists from 2007-08 through 2010-11, with double-digit goals and assists all four seasons … had career-high 13 goals in 2010-11, and career-best 16 assists in 2009-10 … also played for Colorado Rush in the United Soccer League (USL) W-League during summer 2011, appearing in 12 matches as a defender and tallying one assist.
High School: On target to graduate from Mullen High School in Denver, Colo., this spring … played for head coach Tony Schenbeck (did not play for high school team as senior) … posted 28 goals and 28 assists during her prep career … had personal-best 12 goals as a junior (2010-11) and career-high 13 assists as a freshman (2008-09) … earned honorable mention all-state accolades in 2010 … garnered academic all-state citations for soccer, basketball and track during 2010-11 school year.
Personal Data: Born Sept. 7, 1993, in Kansas City, Kan. … full name is Mary Frances Schwappach … daughter of Kathleen and John Schwappach … has older brother, Joseph, who is a junior at Dartmouth College, and younger sister, Julia … just the third Coloradoan to join Fighting Irish program and the first since 1989, when fellow Denver residents Kelly Hanratty and Kristin Kirwan were reserve defenders during the program’s second season of existence … interested in a finance major at Notre Dame.
Did You Know?: Standout track athlete in high school, earning state titles with Mullen’s 4×100 and 4×200 relay squads in 2011 (the 4×100 quartet also set a school record in that event) … has delivered soccer balls to the underprivileged in the African nations of Tanzania and Kenya … has visited all seven continents … has swum in the Antarctic Ocean … worked in a cancer research lab … enjoys skiing and climbing `14ers’ in Colorado (known in mountaineering circles as the 53 peaks in the state that are 14,000 feet or higher).
Waldrum on Schwappach…
“Mary is a midfielder/forward from Colorado who will add some valuable experience to our offense, which is an area we really need. She can play out wide or in central attacking areas, and she is very attack-minded as a player. She brings some pace to our attack, which is also needed, and she will be very successful in our program with the players we have around her.”
CRYSTAL THOMAS, 5-3, Forward (Elgin, Ill./Wheaton Academy/Sockers FC Chicago)
Individual Rankings: Ranked 55th in the 2012 Top Drawer Soccer club soccer player ratings (four-star ranking; No. 4 in Midwest region) … ranked 58th in the 2012 ESPNHS 150.
National/ODP/Club Team: Selected for 2008 United States Under-14 Girls’ National Team player pool … spent time with ODP Region II Team, earning roster spot for trips to Costa Rica, Holland, Florida and California during her career from 2007-11 … also was captain of ODP squad, both at region and state level … participated in ODP Thanksgiving Interregional from 2008-11 … collected Illinois Youth Soccer Outstanding Achievement Award for ODP competition …has been part of Sockers FC Chicago club program for many years, currently playing for head coach Oleg Vatchev … played for same club with fellow incoming freshman forward Katie Naughton … helped Sockers FC to pair of Illinois state cup titles (2010, 2011), as well as 2010 Disney Soccer Showcase and 2011 U18 regionals … named to 2011 USYS National Championship Best 11 Team (U-17s) … three members of the 2004 Notre Dame national championship — Jen Buczkowski, Jill Krivacek and Kim Lorenzen — also came out of the Sockers FC Chicago club program.
High School: Poised to graduate from Wheaton Academy in West Chicago, Ill., this spring … plays for newly-appointed head coach David Underwood after spending her first three seasons playing for head coach Scott Marksberry (soccer is spring sport in Illinois) … has helped Wheaton to three consecutive berths in Illinois Class 2A semifinals, including state title in 2009, third-place finish in 2010 and fourth-place showing in 2011 … team also has won Class 2A super-sectional, sectional and regional titles all three seasons, in addition to claiming three consecutive Suburban Christian Conference championships … tallied career-high 18 goals and 22 assists during 2009 state title season … all-state selection (2011) … two-time all-sectional team pick (2010, 2011) … two-time all-area choice (2009, 2011) … two-time Suburban Christian Conference Player of the Year (2010, 2011) … three-time all-conference honoree (2009, 2010, 2011) … 2010 Illinois High School Athletic Association Scholastic Achievement Award.
Personal Data: Born Jan. 18, 1994, in Hoffman Estates, Ill. … daughter of Gladys and Mike Thomas … middle of three children, bookended by older brother Collin and younger brother Kendall … latest in strong pipeline of talent to come to Notre Dame from the Chicagoland area (and the state of Illinois) … has shown interest in a business major at Notre Dame.
Did You Know?: Has participated in the percussion ensemble at her high school … used to play the drums.
Waldrum on Thomas…
“Crystal is a goalscoring personality and a very creative-type forward. She sees the game in a way that others can’t see, she has a tremendous work ethic, and she is highly competitive. She is very technical and has a great sense of the goal, in and around the penalty area. What’s more, she brings a `soccer junkie’ mentality to our team, and has a the ability to both score and create for others.”
BRITTANY VON RUEDEN, 5-11, Defender (Mequon, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels High School/FC Milwaukee)
Individual Rankings: Ranked 15th in the 2012 ESPNHS 150 … ranked 59th in the 2012 Top Drawer Soccer club soccer player ratings (four-star ranking; No. 6 in Midwest region).
National/ODP/Club Team: Has been a regular within United States National Team age-group system since 2007, starting with appearances in Under-14 player pool and continuing through her present role as member of 2012 U-18 National Team … joined rising sophomore midfielder/forward Karin Simonian, rising sophomore defender/midfielder Taylor Schneider, and fellow incoming freshman defender Katie Naughton and forward/midfielder Cari Roccaro in the 2011 U-18 and 2010 U-17 National Team player pools … also was part of 2009 U-15 Girls’ National Team player pool with Naughton, Roccaro and fellow incoming freshman forward Stephanie Campo … has been mainstay with ODP Region II Team since 2008, including trips to Costa Rica, Holland and Portugal … played in ODP Thanksgiving Interregionals in 2007, 2008 and 2010 … participated in adidas ESP Camps in 2008 and 2009 (camp all-star the latter year) … played her entire club career with FC Milwaukee (serving as captain) for head coach Christian Lavers …club program was ranked No. 19 in nation in December 2011 article by Soccer America … led FC Milwaukee to 2011 USYS Under-18 National Championship … also competed regularly in ECNL, earning all-event honors at 2009 Final 4 Showcase and 2011 San Antonio tournament … 2011 NSCAA Youth All-American … 2010 NSCAA Youth All-Region pick … also played for FC Milwaukee Nationals team in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) in summer of 2011 … earned WPSL All-Midwest Conference honors, joining a squad that included such notables as former Notre Dame standouts Amanda Cinalli (’08) and Michelle Weissenhofer (’10).
High School: On pace to graduate from Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee, Wis., this spring … did not play soccer in high school in favor of competing at club level year-round.
Personal Data: Born Dec. 20, 1993, in Mequon, Wis. … full name is Brittany Elizabeth Von Rueden … daughter of Lynn and Anthony Von Rueden … has one brother, William … interested in studying mathematics or education at Notre Dame.
Did You Know?: Ranks No. 1 in her high school class with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average … is candidate to be class valedictorian … also an AP Scholar.
Waldrum on Von Rueden…
“Brittany also is a member of our U.S. Under-18 National Team and a consistent selection for that squad, as well. She is a versatile player who can play out wide in the back, centrally in the back, or even centrally in midfield for us. She has a great shot and strikes the ball so well over distance. She too possesses great size, which is a huge plus defensively for our team. I think along with Katie (Naughton), Cari (Roccaro), and Glory (Williams), these freshmen are going to bring great passion and leadership to our team.”
GLORY WILLIAMS, 5-8, Midfielder (Dallas, Texas/Lake Highlands High School/Sting Dallas)
Individual Rankings: Ranked 15th in the 2012 Top Drawer Soccer club soccer player ratings (five-star ranking; No. 3 in Texas region) … ranked 32nd in the 2012 ESPNHS 150.
ODP/Club Team: Has been one of top players for Sting Dallas club program under the direction of head coach Kenny Medina … program was ranked No. 3 in nation in December 2011 article by Soccer America, and has produced several recent Notre Dame standouts, including 2010 Honda Sports Award recipient/two-time All-America forward Melissa Henderson, All-American midfielder Courtney Barg and two-time all-region defender Jessica Schuveiller … led Sting Dallas to consecutive USYS National Championships at U-15 and U-16 levels (2010 and 2011) … named to 2011 USYS National Championship Best 11 Team … guided squad to 2010 ECNL U-15 National Championship … club also has won numerous tournaments during her tenure, including four North Texas State Cups (2008-11), two Surf Cups (2006, 2008), the 2009 Disney Soccer Showcase and the 2008 Celtic Cup and Real Colorado Showcase … participated in February 2011 ECNL/id2 National Camp … named to all-event team at 2009 and 2010 Disney Showcase … chosen as tournament MVP for 2008 Celtic Cup.
High School: Set to graduate from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas, this spring … plays for head coach Misty Benson … earned all-district honors in 2009 and 2010 …named district’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.
Personal Data: Born Aug. 4, 1994, in Dallas, Texas … full name is Gloria Kristin Williams … daughter of LaDonna and C.L. Williams … middle of five children … sister, Hayley, recently completed sophomore season as defender/midfielder at Rice (earned Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors in 2010).
Did You Know?: Her family has cared for approximately 25 foster children during the past decade … the technical director for her club program (Sting Dallas) is the legendary Tatu, the longtime Brazilian soccer standout who had his greatest success indoors with the Dallas Sidekicks from 1984-2003 (he also coached the franchise from 1998-2004), ranking second all-time in numerous categories, including goals scored (857).
Waldrum on Williams…
“Glory is one of the best midfield players we saw over the past two years. Her field vision and her distribution is top class, much like Jill Krivacek who played on our 2004 national championship team. She has great size and has great range on her passing, and her technical abilities are just what are needed to play in our Notre Dame 4-3-3 system.”
2012 NOTRE DAME WOMEN'S SOCCER LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEESNAME POS. HT. HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB*Stephanie Campo D 5-7 Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge HS/PDAAnna Maria Gilbertson F 5-8 Davis, Calif./Davis HS/Davis LegacyKatie Naughton D 5-10 Elk Grove Village, Ill./Elk Grove HS/Sockers FC ChicagoCari Roccaro F/M 5-7 East Islip, N.Y./East Islip HS/Albertson FuryMary Schwappach M/F 5-10 Denver, Colo./Mullen HS/Colorado RushCrystal Thomas F 5-3 Elgin, Ill./Wheaton Academy/Sockers FC ChicagoBrittany Von Rueden D 5-11 Mequon, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels HS/FC MilwaukeeGlory Williams M 5-8 Dallas, Texas/Lake Highlands HS/Sting Dallas* - accepted offer of early admission to Notre Dame, rather than signing National Letter of Intent
— ND —