Nov. 18, 2002
Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame women’s lacrosse coach Tracy Coyne has announced the signing of four high school lacrosse players to national letters-of-intent to attend the University for the 2003-04 season. Among the signees, Coyne has added a goalkeeper, a defender and two midfielders. The Irish will graduate eight seniors in May of 2003, including five who have been key performers in the program’s success the past two seasons.
Signing letters-of-intent in the early signing period are: Meaghan Fitzpatrick (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Kristin Hopson (Rosemont, Pa.), Katie Linhares (Greenwich, Conn.) and Megan O’Shaughnessy (Englewood, Colo.).
In making the announcement, Coyne said, “I’m very pleased with the overall talent level of the players that will be joining us next season. I expect them to not only individually impact the program, but to help us contend for a national championship. They all made a connection with the University during their visits and fit in very well with the players currently on the team. I also like the geographic breakdown. It shows that we are a national program and will recruit players from all over the country as we continue to build on our success over the past two seasons.”
Fitzpatrick is a defensive standout at St. Anthony’s High School on Long Island. A member of the U.S. Under-19 National team, Fitzpatrick was an honorable mention high school all-American in 2002. She helped St. Anthony’s to league championships in 2000 and 2002 and was selected all-league in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and all-Long Island in 2001 and 2002. She played for the silver medal winning team at the 2002 Empire State games this past summer. A tough, tenacious defender, Fitzpatrick has outstanding athletic ability and should become an impact player for the Irish.
Coyne on Fitzpatrick: “Meaghan has the ability to have an immediate impact on our program. I expect her to play a major role in the future success of Notre Dame lacrosse. She’s a tough, aggressive athlete who makes the big plays. Her tenacious style and lacrosse skills are just two of the reasons why she’s a member of the U.S. Under-19 team.”
Hopson is a talented midfield/defender at Radnor High School, one of the top girls’ lacrosse programs in the country, near Philadelphia. Hopson brings an excellent work ethic and a competitive style to the Irish women’s lacrosse program. A three-team captain at Radnor as a senior (basketball, lacrosse and field hockey), Hopson is an outstanding student as she has been selected as a high school academic all-American in both lacrosse and field hockey. Selected to tryout for the U.S. Under-19 team, Hopson was the only sophomore to start on Radnor High School’s Pennsylvania AAA State Championship team in 2001. A standout performer in field hockey, Hopson was selected first team all-Delaware County, first team all-Main Line and team MVP this season.
Coyne on Hopson: “Kristin is just a great fit for Notre Dame. She’s an excellent student and has a tremendous work ethic. She’s very athletic and a tough competitor who will be a significant contributor to our program. Having played at Radnor High School, she has competed at the highest level and knows what it takes to win.”
Linhares is a left-handed goalkeeper who has been a three-year starter at Greenwich High School in Greenwich, Conn. Blessed with outstanding quickness and excellent reflexes, Linhares will team with current sophomore Carol Dixon to give the Irish a solid 1-2 punch in goal following the graduation of current Irish goalkeeper, all-American candidate Jen White. A first team all-County, all-State and all-American during the 2002 season, Linhares was the team’s Most Valuable Player and was a candidate for the U.S. Under-19 National team.
Coyne on Linhares: “Katie gives us a solid goalkeeping duo along with Carol Dixon. She’s has good quickness and excellent reflexes. Because she’s left handed, it forces opponents to change their shot. It gives our attack players a different look in practice every day and will help make them better shooters. Katie will have the chance to be an outstanding collegiate goalkeeper. All she needs is experience at the Division I level.”
O’Shaughnessy is a midfield/attack player from Englewood, Colo., where she played at The Kent Denver School. She is the cousin of former Irish women’s lacrosse standout Lael O’Shaughnessy who graduated in 2001 as the school’s all-time leading scorer. O’Shaughnessy is a highly skilled player with excellent quickness and the ability to make things happen on attack. An honorable mention all-American in 2002, she helped lead her high school to the 2002 Colorado State championship and will captain the team this season. The Most Valuable Player at Kent Denver last season, she was selected to the Rocky Mountain News all-Colorado team and the Denver Post’s “Best of the Best” team in 2001. She is also an all-league and all-state performer in field hockey.
Coyne on O’Shaughnessy: “We are ecstatic to have another O’Shaughnessy joining the program. Lacrosse is exploding in Colorado and as a result, more and more high caliber players are coming from the state. Megan is one of those players. She has good quickness and solid stick skills. She has the potential to be a standout performer like Lael was during her Notre Dame career. “
2003-04 Notre Dame Women’s Lacrosse Recruits
Player Pos. Ht. Hometown/SchoolMeaghan Fitzpatrick D 5-8 Farmingdale, N.Y./St. Anthony'sKristin Hopson M/D 5-8 Rosemont, Pa./RadnorKatie Linhares GK 5-4 Greenwich, Conn./GreenwichMegan O'Shaughnessy M/A 5-7 Englewood, Colo./Kent Denver School