Feb. 5, 1997
Notre Dame Women's Soccer Signs Four to Letters of Intent
NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Notre Dame's women's soccer team, just off its
third-straight appearance in the NCAA championship game and a 24-2 record
in 1996, has signed four players to national letters of intent, according
to head coach Chris Petrucelli. Included in the class of 2001 are Meotis
Erikson (Kennewick, Wash.), Monica Gonzalez (Richardson, Texas), Kelly
Lindsey (Omaha, Neb.) and Stacey Tullock (Phoenix, Ariz.).
"The quality of this class is outstanding from top to bottom," said
two-time national coach of the year Chris Petrucelli. "It is hard to have
four freshmen who can come in and contribute right away but this class is
certainly capable of that. This is definitely one of our better recruiting
classes."
Erikson starred as a forward at Kamiakin High School where she was
named the 1996 National Soccer Coaches Association national high school
player of the year and is also an NSCAA All-American. She recently trained
with the under-20 U.S. national team and had previously played with the
under-17 team. Erikson is a very strong player and possesses a great
goal-scoring ability for the Irish. She will compete for the starting
forward position left by Amy VanLaecke.
"Meotis has a great future at Notre Dame," said Petrucelli. "She
will be a major part of our attack for the next four years."
Another forward, Gonzalez will complement Erikson up front with her
contrasting style of play. She brings a crafty and skilled style of play
to the field. Gonzalez led her club team the Dallas Sting to the national
championships in 1995. She was also an all-south region selection in 1996.
"Monica is very skillful and should team with Meotis to be a great
combination for us for four years," said Petrucelli.
Lindsey played defense at Millard North High School and is also a
member of the under-20 U.S. national team. She will join Notre Dame's
returning All-America defenders Jen Grubb and Kate Sobrero to improve the
already stingy Irish defense. Lindsey is a strong and physical defender
who joined Erikson on the NSCAA high school All-America and the under-17
U.S. national team.
"Kelly Lindsey is an extremely talented athlete and should make our
defense more versatile than it has been in the past," said Petrucelli who
projects Lindsey taking over for defender Kate Fisher.
Tullock, according to Petrucelli, is the sleeper in the group. She
is a very fast and skillful player who can play a number of different
positions. Tullock starred at Thunderbird High School and the Santos
Estrelas club team and was named the most valuable performer of the Arizona
State Cup.
"Stacey will have an immediate impact either as a midfielder or as
a goal scorer for us," said Petrucelli.
