#17 Matt Besler 2007-08 Men's Soccer Roster

Became first player in program history to garner both first-team All-America and first-team Academic All-America honors during his career as he received both accolades as a senior • a three-time all-BIG EAST performer, including first-team honors as a senior • played in 90 career games, which was one shy of the program record • started 83 matches • totaled 17 career points on five goals and seven assists • a BIG EAST Academic All-Star • trained with the U.S. U-20 National Team • a four-time monogram winner • selected eighth overall in the first round of the 2009 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft by his home state Kansas City Wizards • that marked the highest a Notre Dame player had ever been taken in the MLS draft.

AS A SENIOR: Received both first-team All-America and first-team Academic All-America honors • named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Scholar-Athlete of the Year • he was the first student-athlete in Irish men[apos]s soccer history to garner that distinction • named to the all-BIG EAST first team • all-Great Lakes Region first team • Lowe[apos]s Senior CLASS Award finalist • received an NCAA postgraduate scholarship • served as a team captain for the second straight year • one of two Irish players (Aaron Maund) to play every possible minute during the season (1,936) • notched three points on one goal and one assist • helped the Notre Dame defense post seven shutouts • named the Defensive MVP of the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament as the Irish took the crown with wins over Dartmouth (2-1) and No. 5 USF (5-0) • also selected to the College Soccer News national team of the week for his efforts in the tournament • netted a goal in a 4-1 win over Pittsburgh • named the BIG EAST defensive player of the week and to the Soccer America national team of the week for his performance against the Panthers and in a 3-0 win over Michigan State earlier that week • collected an assist in a 3-1 victory over Providence.

AS A JUNIOR: Copped second-team all-BIG EAST honors for the second straight season • also earned second-team all-Great Lakes Region accolades • was a second-team NSCAA Scholar All-American • posted identical numbers as his sophomore season with six points on two goals and two assists • helped the Irish defense limit opponents to just 0.83 goals-per game • attempted 13 shots • netted the equalizer in the 76th minute in a 1-1 tie with Cincinnati • assisted on the team[apos]s second goal in a 3-0 triumph of No. 16 Michigan • dished out an assist on the second goal in a 2-0 win over Seton Hall • scored the game[apos]s first goal in the 27th minute in a 2-2 draw at Providence • named a BIG EAST Academic All-Star.

AS A SOPHOMORE: Named to the all-BIG EAST second team • started all 23 games • tallied six points on two goals and two assists • the point and goal totals were career-highs, while the assists tied a career-best mark • attempted 12 shots • led the team with 2,073 minutes played • had one game-winning goal (Michigan State) • notched an assist in a 3-0 win over DePaul in the regular season • scored his first career goal in a 3-1 triumph of Pittsburgh • assisted on a goal in a 4-0 victory over Marquette • tallied a goal in a 3-0 win over Michigan State • named to the 2006-07 BIG EAST Academic All-Star Team.

AS A FRESHMAN: Contributed mightily during his rookie campaign as he played in 22 games with five starts • collected two assists • attempted 12 shots • was named to the College Soccer News `100 Freshmen to Watch[apos] list • recorded his first career points with two assists in a 4-0 victory over No. 16 Seton Hall • made first collegiate start against Bradley • started three games in-a-row late in the season against Seton Hall and in BIG EAST tournament games against Syracuse and St. John[apos]s • netted the penalty kick that iced Notre Dame[apos]s 4-2 shootout victory over Syracuse during the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament • named to the 2005-06 BIG EAST Academic All-Start Team.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Four-year all-conference soccer player at Blue Valley West High School • led Blue Valley to the Kansas 5A State Championship as a senior, scoring 23 goals with 19 assists • holds season and career marks in total points (124), goals (40) and assists (44) at Blue Valley West • numerous senior accolades, including all-city, all-state, team MVP along with being team captain • member of the KCFC Alliance club team • also a key member of the Region II Olympic Developmental Program (ODP), playing on the U-16 U.S. National Team • named an adidas/NSCAA High School All-American • competed in the 2004 adidas ESP All-Star game • rated 16th for midfielders in the Class of 2005 by StudentSportsSoccer.com • played basketball as a freshman at Blue Valley West • was a member of the National Honor Society • attended same high school as Brett Helgeson, an [apos]09 graduate and four-year monogram winner from the Irish men[apos]s tennis team • from the same area as former Irish teammate Michael Thomas • born Feb. 11, 1987 • son of Greg and Diane Besler • father played football for one season at Kansas State and his mother competed in field hockey and track and field for one year while at New Hampshire • has two younger siblings • graduated from the College of Arts and Letters as a pre-professional and psychology major with a 3.518 cumulative GPA.

Besler[apos]s Career Statistics