Notre Dame announces Top 5 ranked recruiting class highlighted by USYNT players

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Annabelle Chukwu

5-7 Forward from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bill Crothers Secondary School | Ottawa South United; National Development Centre Ontario

• Played for Ottawa South United before becoming a member of the National Development Centre Ontario.
• Has won the following tournaments:
  • 2023 League 1 Ontario
  • 2022 U15 OPDL League title
  • 2022 U15 Ontario Summer Games
  • 2021 U14 OPDL league title
  • 2021 U14 Gary Miller Charity Shield championship
• She was the top goal scorer in back-to-back years in the OPDL with 46 goals in 15 games in 2021 and 39 goals in 17 matches in 2022
• Has worked her way up through the Canadian National Team system:
  • 2022 U15 WNT – CONCACAF second place
  • 2022 U17 WNT World Cup roster
  • 2022 Senior Canadian National Team games vs Brazil camp (at age 15)
  • 2023 U20 WNT – CONCACAF third place
  • 2023 Senior Canadian National Team Olympic Qualifiers roster

Coach Norman on Chukwu: “Annabelle is an extremely exciting attacking player. She has already been in full team camps with Canada so she is very experienced. She is an extremely athletic and powerful forward who can beat you in many different ways. She has a great soccer mind and is desperate to always improve. The sky is the limit for Annabelle and she will be a very fun player to watch during her time here.”

Chukwu on Notre Dame: “I chose to commit to Notre Dame because I wanted to go to a school that would drive my academics and athletics. I believe this school will push me in the best ways possible and I am beyond excited to start my journey here.”

Riley DeMartino

5-5 Mid/Winger from Potomac, Maryland
Walt Whitman High | Bethesda Soccer Club

• Back-to-back Maryland 4A State Champions (with a possibility of a three-peat still her senior year)
• 2021 All-MET Player of the Year
• Played club for Bethesda Soccer
• ECNL All-Conference U15, U16 and U17
• ECNL National Camp Invite

Coach Norman on DeMartino: “Riley is a player that could fit in anywhere in our midfield. She could play centrally or out wide. She has a fantastic engine and brings quite a bit of bite to her game. She also loves to take players on and is very exciting when she gets in the final third. She is the ultimate two-way player who prides herself on not only attacking the other team, but she makes a huge impact on the defensive side.”

DeMartino on Notre Dame: “I chose Notre Dame because of the opportunity it presents both academically and athletically. Notre Dame is such a special place and I felt that way the minute I arrived on campus. The coaching staff and players are amazing. I can’t wait to be part of the ND family.”

Izzy Engle

5-9 Attacking Midfielder/Forward from Edina, Minnesota
Edina High | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL

• Ranked 59th overall in her class by Top Drawer Soccer
• Three-time All-State selection
• Set the school record for assists in a single game with five
• Also competed in Track & Field at Edina High where she also set the school record in the 4×200 and 4×400 relays
• Two-time Section champ – ultimately finished in third in state tournament in 2021 and runner-up in 2022
• Played club with Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
• Five-time ECNL First Team All-Conference honoree
• Champions League team since 2019
• U.S. U17 training camp
• U.S. U19 Pan-Am Games rorster

Coach Norman on Engle: “Izzy is an attacking player that can play multiple positions. Her athleticism and ability on the ball allows her to be able to be effective in multiple positions. She is extremely entertaining to watch and is very difficult to stop when she has space and can gain momentum running at a defender. She is someone who will produce a lot of goals by scoring or setting her teammates up  Izzy is a wonderful player now but her overall potential is incredibly exciting.”

Engle on Notre Dame: “I chose Notre Dame because the second I stepped on campus as a recruit, it felt like home. It is one of the few places in the country where you can play soccer and be a student at such a high level, and the environment is that of success. I seriously cannot wait.”

Randie Foor

5-5 Forward from Fenton, Michigan
Fenton High | Michigan Hawks

• Club team is the Michigan Hawks
• Won Midwest All-Conference First Team honors for her play in the 2022-23 season Attends Fenton High where she also competes on the Track & Field team where she’s won multiple accolades:
  • Flint-Metro League First Team 4×200 Relay
  • Regional Champion 100m dash
  • MHSAA state meet qualifier

Coach Norman on Foor: “Randie is an extremely dynamic wide player who loves to run at defenders 1v1. She is a very good player now but she also has an extremely exciting potential.  She possesses fantastic pace and quickness. She uses these gifts to consistently get to the other team’s end line or cut inside of defenders to get shots off.”

Foor on Notre Dame: “I chose Notre Dame because of the outstanding academics and the amazing soccer program. When I first stepped on campus it felt like home, and a place to grow both on and off the field. Go Irish!”

Abigail Gemma

5-9 Centerback from Flemington, New Jersey
IMG Academy 

• The No. 19 ranked recruit in the country according to Top Drawer Soccer
• 2019 ECNL National Championship
• U.S. Youth National Team invites throughout her career:
  • US YNT Camp U17
  • US YNT Pool U16
  • US YNT Virtual Camp (during Covid)
  • US YNT Regional Camp
  • US YNT Camps 2018-19
• GA National Talent ID Events 2020-23
• Captain since U8
• 2020 GA National Finalist
• ICC Futures Event

Coach Norman on Gemma: “Abby is an extremely talented defender that does so many things well. She will add great physicality and athleticism to our back line. Abby brings an edge to the game that no team wants to compete against. She is also very good on the ball and will give us the ability to control tempo and continue to be a team that can successfully build out of the back. She is a great communicator and will bring a very strong presence to our back line.”

Gemma on Notre Dame: “I’m excited to get the opportunity to go to a university as iconic as Notre Dame. Notre Dame plays in the best NCAA women’s soccer conference and is a top academic institution, making my decision simple.”

Melinda Hathaway

5-5 Wing Back from Birmingham, Michigan
Seaholm High | Nationals Soccer Club

• Plays on the Nationals Soccer Club – U18/19 (05/06) Blue Team
• 2022-23 GA National Championship third place winner
• Three-time GA Mid-America Conference champion (2020-23)
• Two-time GA Mid-America Talent ID selection (2021-23)

Coach Norman on Hathaway: “Melinda is very versatile player who could play in our back line and also play in the wide areas for us. She is a great 1v1 defender due to her physicality and athleticism. She also has the ability to get forward due to her speed and engine.  She is another very impactful two-way player that can help us not only on the defensive side of the ball, but also that attacking side as well.”

Hathaway on Notre Dame: “When I was going through the recruiting process, I narrowed down my top three criteria to highly selective for academics, a competitive Power-5 conference member with a certain style of play and a smaller undergraduate class/campus size. Notre Dame had all of these things, plus, I felt I would grow the most, not only as a player, but as a person too.”

Ellie Hodsden

5-5 Forward from Dripping Springs, Texas
Dripping Springs High | Lonestar Red

• Ranked 45th overall in her class
• Set single-season school goal record as a freshman with 48 goals
• Then broke her record as a sophomore with 50 goals
• A 2022-23 United Soccer Coaches All-American
• 2022-23 THSCA Super Elite All-State Team
• 2022-23 Lethal Enforcer Starting XI
• Two-time TGCA All-State Team selection
• 2021-22 TASCO First Team All-State
• Club team – U19 Lonestar Red GA
• Made GA Final Four appearances in both 2023 and 2022
• Called up for the U.S. U16 National team trip to Fance in April of 2023
• ODP National Team January of 2022
• Also competed in track in high schoo

Coach Norman on Hodsden: “Elle is a very exciting and dynamic forward. She can beat you in many different ways. She can hold up the ball very well by using her strength, but she also has the ability to stretch back lines with her incredible speed. She loves to score goals and when she gets herself around the edge of the box she is very good at taking players on and finishing. Elle is a unique player that will be giving opposing defenders fits for a long time.”

Hodsden on Notre Dame: “I have always loved everything about Notre Dame. The people, traditions and academic excellence made me confident that it was the place for me.”

Lily Joseph

5-5 Midfielder/Forward from Hamden, Connecticut
Hamden Hall Country Day School | South Central Premier; Connecticut Rush Select

• All-State
• All-FAA
• All-NEPSAC
• SCC All-Academic Team
• Favorite memory – first season back after her ACL injury she set the school record in goals for a season
• Club teams – South Central Premier and Connecticut Rush Select
• Three-time team MVP
• ODP National Training Camp attendee – 2020, 2022
• ODP Regional Team – 2019, 2021, 2024
• 2022 Connecticut ODP Female Player of the Year

Coach Norman on Joseph: “Lily is a very unique midfielder that possesses a great combination of talent and vision. Her creativity on the ball is very fun to watch. She can run at players and score around the edge of the box, and can also make extremely creative penetrating passes to her attacking teammates. She is very fun to watch. Her soccer IQ is very high and often sees things on the field that most players do not.”

Joseph on Notre Dame: “I chose Notre Dame because of its competitive soccer program and its rigorous academics. Notre Dame harbors an environment that I can see myself growing spiritually, emotionally and physically.”

Sonoma Kasica

5-10 Goalkeeper from St. Petersburg, Florida
Shorecrest Prep | Florida Premier FC

• Ranked 44th overall in her class, Kasica
• Competed in both soccer and track at Shorecrest
• Three-time Female Athlete of the Year
• Two-time State Semi-finalist in soccer
• Three-time Javelin State Champion
• 2023 Nike Outdoor Nationals All-American (track)
• State of Florida Women’s Javelin record holder
• Favorite sports memory – getting her first international Cap with the U.S. U17 WYNT vs England U17
• Plays club for Florida Premier FC
• ECNL Girls Southeast All-Conference honoree
• 2023 ECNL NJ National Selection Game
• 2022 ECNL Tennessee National Selection Game
• ECNL Girls National Training Camp Best XI
• Capelli Sport All-Star Team
• U.S. U19 WYNT Pan American Games Roster
• U.S. U17 WYNT roster for NC camp
• U.S. U17 WYNT England trip vs. England U17

Coach Norman on Kasica: “We believe Sonoma is one of the best goalkeepers in the country. One of the areas that jumps off the field at you when you watch her is her ability to make incredible saves. She is an explosive athlete who has very quick reactions. She is someone who has the ability to keep you in games or win games that maybe you shouldn’t necessarily win. She is also a great communicator and brings a high level of understanding to the game.”

Kasica on Notre Dame: “The day I stepped on campus and met the coaching staff everything just felt right. I was raised a Notre Dame fan so having the opportunity to wear that jersey is an honor, and I could not be more excited to be attending my dream school.”

Rowan Pearl

5-10 Defender from Indianapolis, Indiana
Brebeuf Jesuit Prep | Indiana Fire Academy ECNL

• A two-time All-State selection at Brebeuf Jesuit
• Won the Fall Sports Character Award
• Eagle Invitational MVP
• Semi-State finalist
• Academic All-State honoree
• Also played varsity basketball
• Club team is Indiana Fire Academy ECNL
• Played for Indy Eleven at the USL Acacemy Cup

Coach Norman on Pearl: “Rowan is a tall athletic defender who will be a great fit for our back line. Some of her strengths are her ability to dominate aerially defensively and offensively. She also uses her superior athleticism to dominate in 1v1 defending situations. She does a great job of giving cover to her teammates defensively.  She is another player who is a very strong now but also has enormous potential.”

Pearl on Notre Dame: “Notre Dame was an easy decision for me. I have always enjoyed the beautiful campus but the coaches, team culture and academics felt like the perfect fit. I am excited to be at a place that challenges and develops the whole person and has the friendly Midwest atmosphere.”

Ally Pinto

5-6 Midfielder from Flower Mound, Texas
Flower Mound High | Sting Back 05/06 ECNL

• A two-time All-District selection (2022, 2023)
• 2022 Newcomer of the Year award
• Favorite memory – scored seven goals over four games in the Dallas Cup tournament, helping her team reach the semi-finals.
• Also played volleyball at Flower Mound High
• Played club for Sting Black 05/06 ECNL
• 2022-23 First Team Texas All-Conference
• 2023 ECNL NJ National Selection Game
• Seven-time Club Player of the Week selection

Coach Norman on Pinto: “Ally is a very technical center midfielder. She is very calm on the ball, has a great first touch, and has fantastic vision. She can help your team control tempo, and can also make very effective penetrating passes. She has a very good range of pass which allows her to switch the field very well and also play quality balls behind opponent’s back lines.”

Pinto on Notre Dame: “I chose Notre Dame not only for its distinguished academics and soccer program, but for the competitive environment that will push me to be the best version of myself. I love the culture and community and can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Grace Restovich

5-6 Midfielder from St. Louis, Missouri
Visitation Academy | Saint Louis Scott Gallagher ECNL Navy

• The highest rated recruit in the class according to Top Drawer Soccer, checking in at No. 8 in the country.
• Club team is Saint Louis Scott Gallagher ECNL Navy
• Two-time ECNL National Champion (2023, 2022)
• 2022 ECNL National Player of the Year
• Three-time ECNL All-American
• Two-time ECNL Conference Player of the Year
• Three-time ECNL First Team All-Conference selection
• U.S. U19 YNT – playing in Pan American Games
• U.S. U17 YNT – Camp and trip to England (games vs. England)
• U.S. U16 YNT – Camp and trip to Sweden (games vs. Sweden, France and Norway)
• U.S. U15 YNT – Virtual camp (during Covid)
• U.S. YNT Mine-Camp U14 (Dallas, Texas)
• Played basketball at Visitation Academy where she helped the squad win its first District title in 20 years alongside her sisters
• Her parents, George (baseball) and Michelle (soccer), both played at Notre Dame. Same as her grandpa George (basketball and baseball)

Coach Norman on Restovich: “Grace is a phenomenal midfielder. She is very well-balanced and does so many things well on the field. One area that jumps out at you is simply her understanding of the game. She knows when to slow the game down for her team, but also when to speed it up and make penetrating runs or passes forward.  She works very hard defensively and is constantly looking to set her teammates up with passes even though she has the ability to score on her own. She is one of those players that other people love playing with.”

Restovich on Notre Dame: “I chose Notre Dame because it represents all that is important to me. Playing for an elite soccer program, unbelievable coaches and a historic school that is challenging, all centered around a focus on faith and family, is of utmost importance to me. It inspires you to become the best version of yourself. There is no place like it in the world.”