Matt Leisen Class: Senior Hometown: East Meadow, N.Y. High School: Chaminade H.S. Height / Weight: 6-3 / 203 Position: Defense

A player who has worked his way into the Irish lineup and will compete for playing time this season ... unselfish individual who has steadily shown steady progress throughout his collegiate career ... has become a better and stronger athlete and has developed his communication skills on the field ... has a good understanding of Irish defensive scheme ... lends experience and depth to the Notre Dame defense.

AS A JUNIOR: Third-year player has seen valuable playing time this season with appearances in 10 contests, including NCAA tournament action against Johns Hopkins ... earned first career start in season finale against Harvard.

AS A SOPHOMORE: Saw action in three games in 2000 ... came off the bench for the first time against Air Force and also played in the Fairfield and Villanova contests.

AS A FRESHMAN: Played in two games - Denver and Air Force - in ?99.

PREP AND PERSONAL: Two-year letterwinner in high school ... team captain and all-Catholic League selection in his senior season on defense ... squad was undefeated in his junior season (1997) and won the Catholic League championship ... attended same high school as teammate Chris Masterson and former Irish player Stephen Taylor ... brother Bill is a Notre Dame graduate and played one season (1993) as a member of the Irish lacrosse team ... named to Dean?s List each of the last three semesters, includig a 3.800 in the fall 2001 semester ... born Nov. 8, 1980 ... enrolled in the Mendoza College of Business as a finance/computer applications major.

Leisen?s Career Statistics