SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame men’s soccer season ended a little over a week ago but the Irish have been in the news a lot over the past seven days, collecting numerous awards and honors from various outlets and organizations.
BRYAN DOWD
The senior goalkeeper was recognized as TopDrawerSoccer’s National Player of the Year, becoming the first keeper to earn the honor. Dowd also was named a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American and was selected as a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist. The shot-stopper had his best season of his career in goal for the Irish, totaling 11 clean sheets while allowing just 0.699 goals per game and posting a save percentage of .824.
McFARLAND FAMILY HEAD COACH CHAD RILEY
Head Coach Chad Riley, assistant coaches Mike Graczyk and Jeff Rowland and director of operations Chris Rolfe were named the United Soccer Coaches National Coaching Staff of the Year. The staff led Notre Dame to its second College Cup appearance in the past three seasons. Under Riley’s direction Notre Dame also recorded its first undefeated season in ACC play in program history, posting a record of 6-0-2 en route to the top overall seed.
PADDY BURNS
The Northern Ireland native was selected to the CSC Academic All-America Team as a second team honoree. The senior was one of two captains for the 2023 Fighting Irish squad and helped anchor one of the most dominant defensive units in the country. In the classroom Burns is a double major win political science and sociology and has a GPA of 3.77. The left back finished with three goals and an assist on the season.
WYATT LEWIS
The midfielder was the recipient of the NCAA’s Elite 90 Award, which is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships. Lewis has a cumulative GPA of 4.00 while majoring in economics and pre-health studies. The sophomore also provided the key assist in the 1-0 win over Oregon State in the College Cup semifinal to send the Irish to the title match.
BRYCE BONEAU
The midfield maestro was selected to the TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Second Team following his fantastic 2023 campaign. The junior was the engine for the Irish attack, controlling the middle of the pitch. Boneau posted career highs in goals (4), assists (7) and points (15) over the course of the 2023 season.