SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Fresh off the news of her U20 Team USA World Cup selection, Notre Dame women’s soccer junior midfielder Leah Klenke received some more good news via the Atlantic Coast Conference this afternoon. Due to her stellar performance last fall, Klenke was named as one of the top returning players in the league and earned a 2024 Preseason All-ACC spot. She was the lone Irish representative out of the 12 honorees.
In 2023, Klenke started all 20 games, logging over 1,740 minutes on the pitch. She led the squad with 10 assists, which ranked fourth in the ACC and 18th in the nation. In fact, she tallied the most assists in conference play with seven.
Klenke also booted in two goals in 2023 – both game-winners. The most memorable being the late game-winner at Duke in the 87th minute for the 2-1 victory. For all of her efforts last season, she was named a 2023 Second Team All-ACC selection.
Klenke and the rest of the Fighting Irish squad will kick off the season at home on August 15 against Michigan State. Notre Dame earned a preseason United Soccer Coaches ranking of 15th in the country.
In addition, the ACC announced its Preseason Coaches Poll, with Notre Dame landing in third in the new 17-team conference.
Full results can be found below:
2024 Preseason Women’s Soccer All-ACC Team
Teagan Wy, Jr., GK, California
Kat Rader, Jr., F, Duke
Jordynn Dudley, So., F, Florida State
Heather Gilcrest, Jr., D, Florida State
Taylor Huff, Sr., M, Florida State
Leah Klenke, Jr., M, Notre Dame
Deborah Abiodun, So., M, Pitt
Sarah Schupansky, Sr., F, Pitt
Jasmine Aikey, Jr., M, Stanford
Elise Evans, Jr., D, Stanford
Maggie Cagle, Jr., F, Virginia
Lia Godfrey, Sr., M, Virginia
2024 Preseason ACC Women’s Soccer Coaches Poll
- Florida State (15), 255
- Stanford (2), 235
- Notre Dame, 211
- North Carolina, 187
- Clemson, 186
- Virginia, 177
- Duke, 175
- Pitt, 168
- Wake Forest, 160
- Virginia Tech, 116
- California, 111
- NC State, 85
- Louisville, 80
- Boston College, 50
14t. SMU, 50
- Miami, 44
- Syracuse, 22