The Notre Dame Men's Soccer team beat Michigan, 2-1, at Alumni Field on September 16.
Will figure to start in the central defense for the second straight season • missed a lot of the spring season with an injury • has played in 20 career matches, all starts • four points on two goals • collected a monogram during his sophomore season • a two-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star • named to the dean's list in the spring 2011 semester • brings good height to the Notre Dame defensive unit • is good in the air and connects passes well.
AS A SOPHOMORE (2010): Started every match in the central defense • helped the Irish defense post six shutouts • scored two goals • played the third-most minutes on the team (1,866) • earned his first monogram • a BIG EAST Academic All-Star • made his collegiate debut in the season opener, a 1-0 loss to UCLA at the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic • deposited the team's final goal in a 5-1 win over Cal Poly that clinched the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament for the Fighting Irish • tallied the game winner in the 66th minute in a 2-1 triumph of Marquette in the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Championship • named to the College Soccer News Team of the Week for his efforts against the Golden Eagles.
AS A FRESHMAN (2009): Did not see game action • named a BIG EAST Academic All-Star.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Played with Andromeda 91, now Andromeda U-18 Academy, for eight years • squad won the U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) national championship in 2008 • team was USYS regional finalists in 2007 and Disney Showcase finalists in 2008 • team traveled to Sweden and England in 2006 where they were Manchester United Umbro Cup champions • North Texas State Cup champion along with being a finalist on three other occasions • named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's 2009 Top 100 Men's recruits • a teammate of fellow Irish recruit Dillon Powers on Andromeda SC • a three-time letterwinner at Frisco Centennial • varsity captain • named District Player of the Year in 2007 • team captured the 2007 district title • a National Merit Commended Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society • named Texas Scholar-Athlete • born May 10, 1991 • son of Mark and Barbara Van De Casteele • enrolled in the Mendoza College of Business as a finance major • boasts a 3.637 cumulative GPA.
