Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Overall Rank: #6
#4 ACC
Notre Dame Team Page
Notre Dame is one of the better programs in the country, as witnessed by its ranking and yet, it had a rough introduction to the ACC last season. Luckily for the Irish, they bring back a good nucleus of older and younger players that will help them stay towards the top of not only the rankings, but toward the top of the best conference in the country.
2013 Record: 17-10-1, 7-5-1
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Theresa Romagnolo
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Morgan Andrews, Sophomore, M, 7; Lauren Bohaboy, Senior, F, 7
Assists: Brittany Von Rueden, Junior, D, 6
Shots: Morgan Andrews, Sophomore, M, 73
Saves: Kaela Little, Sophomore, GK, 80
Other Key Returnees: F Anna Maria Gilbertson, F Kaleigh Olmsted, F/M Karin Simonian, M Glory Williams, M/D Cari Roccaro, D Katie Naughton, D Sammy Scofield
Key Losses: F Crystal Thomas, M Elizabeth Tucker, M Mandy Laddish, F/M Rebecca Twining
Strengths:
The Irish bring back five of their top six scorers from last season, including Morgan Andrews and Lauren Bohaboy, who finished with seven goals each. Andrews lived up to the hype of being the nation's top recruit by scoring those seven times, as well as assisting on five other goals. For her efforts, she was named a Freshman All-American, as well as the ACC Freshman of the Year. Bohaboy assisted on four goals as well. The team also brings back starting goalie Kaela Little, who played 98 percent of the team's minutes in goal last season.
Weaknesses:
Crystal Thomas is no longer on the roster. That's a big blow, as she led the team in assists with seven. Mandy Laddish scored only twice, but handed out five assists, which was good for third on the team. Elizabeth Tucker also graduated after scoring four times and assisting on two others. Both Laddish and Tucker started all 22 games and played over 1,800 minutes.
Final Projection:
The Fighting Irish are going to be very good again this year. Bringing back so much offense will be a great help. If they can get someone to replace the distribution skills of Thomas and Laddish, it'll be another impressive offensive showing in South Bend for the Irish. Like they have previously, Coach Theresa Romagnolo brought in another impressive recruiting class, highlighted by ten players that were a four star recruit or higher. Nine of those ten were in IMG Academy's TOP 73 Players. Also amongst the recruits is two sets of twins. Notre Dame will have a challenging non-conference schedule highlighted by matches against Illinois, USC, Santa Clara, Stanford and Baylor.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.05 (38th in nation, 4th in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.873 (60, 6)
Shutout Percentage: 0.364 (107, 7)
Save Percentage: 0.804 (98, 2)
Madness 2015 NWSL Draft Rankings:
#24 Sammy Scofield
Madness 2014 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#10 Genevieve McGowan
#16 Sabrina Flores
#34 Katherine Uhler
#37 Kaitlin Klawunder
#46 Monica Flores
#47 Megan McCashland
#78 Taylor Klawunder
#81 Alexandra Nicholas
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Women's Soccer Previews
