Well, former ND player Morgan Andrews, who was recruited and who played her freshman year for Waldrum and who left ND after a season under TR for USC, is in the Final Four College Cup.
Crystal Thomas, former ND forward who transferred out after Waldrum left and took her scoring skills to Georgetown, scored today to lift Georgetown into the College Cup. So, two very good players who initially came to Notre Dame probably with the dream of making it to the College Cup are finally in the College Cup, except not as an Irish, unfortunately.
What's happened at Notre Dame may be symptomatic of something bigger than their particular situation. We're seeing some very high level players transferring. My comment wasn't specifically about Notre Dame, but was about something of which Notre Dame may be a part.
QUOTE="cpthomas, post: 34872148, member: 119638"]What's happened at Notre Dame may be symptomatic of something bigger than their particular situation. We're seeing some very high level players transferring. My comment wasn't specifically about Notre Dame, but was about something of which Notre Dame may be a part.[/QUOTE] We've been over this in the past. I don't know the whole situation of why MA left ND but from everything I've read my impression is she became a great fit at USC and McAlpine was able to integrate her special talents into his system and let her do her thing. Final Four is the result. Andrews is a special talent and I am happy for her to be in the College Cup and I am rooting for her and her team to win it all. She will be a great Pro and I am hoping she will be picked up by the Chicago Red Stars but will most likely be gone by the time their first round pick comes along. If she falls on Randy Waldrum's pick, you can bet he will chose her for the Houston Dash. Crystal Thomas is a nice kid and has a knack for scoring. I believe she was a walk-on as a freshman at ND and as I remember made an immediate impact. Why she transferred, I have no clue. It may have nothing to do with the coaching change at ND. Just giving koodos to two former outstanding ND players that have reached the College Cup.
Crystal Thomas is listed as a grad student. Did she transfer to Georgetown for an academic specific topic? If she wanted to go poly sci then makes perfect sense. Morgan Andrews was committed to Boston College before decommitting and going to Notre Dame. Guess the allure of staying close to New Hampshire wore off as she got older? WV goal scorer was a transfer from Mizzou. Georgetown also had another impact player who was a transfer, starting GK was from UCLA. Transfers abound this College Cup.
Can we say that a person transferring from San Diego State or Oregon State is not much of a national story. A highly touted, top player transferring out of Notre Dame or North Carolina IS a story. At least to those that are involved in and/or follow the women's game.
I have always respected your posts MRAD but you obviously have not followed USC soccer this year. Sammy Jo Prudhomme transferred from OSU and has been the primary story at USC this year. Pruitt out of SDSU had a huge impact on the offense. Watch the college cup and you will realize their contributions were every bit as impactful as MAs this year
Actually, ND did not have the money available that Morgan needed (or Papa Andrews wanted) at the time so she made the call on BC. Later, the scholarship situation at ND changed (pretty sure it was the Dri Leone departure) and freed up more money, which prompted the Andrews to reach back out to ND.
So it's not a big deal. Good thing most kids don't do this. So did ND run out of money, and she reached out to schools who had money left?
It is not a big deal. Actually, players with her caliber do this all the time. I'm sure there was a long line of great programs with money. But also for a great potential player there is always money. Probably that happened with ND. BTW it is amazing that she was able to recover from the hole in she was. Good for her!
May be I misunderstood u. Are u talking full ride for four years or something else? She definitely had to have full ride.
Gtown has a player from Dartmouth who had an extra year eligibility. Corey Delaney. Dave Nolan has done a great and he's a huge draw for players to attend Georgetown
I think you've misunderstood. Initially BC was in the mix at the same time as ND. The Andrews were looking for a full ride, ND couldn't make that work at the time so in lieu of going there she opted for a full ride closer to home at BC. This was a verbal commitment. Fast forward 9-12 months, ND loses a big money player, the Andrews reach back out to ND to see if that newly available money might mean an increased scholarship would be available. From there she de-commits to BC, ends up at ND and is now playing in the College Cup for USC.
If I recall correctly, I think it was brought up on these boards, the Andrews saga involved Toni Payne of Duke. Payne was supposed to go to Notre Dame but ended up going to Duke instead (not sure of the circumstance), that freed up money to get Andrews. Anyone heard the same or know anything about this?
While scholarship money might have led MA to Notre Dame, I don't think it had anything to do with her leaving. Under TR, her playing time steadily decreased during her final season; then she barely played against Texas A&M in the tournament. I could be wrong, but it seemed like more of a playing time issue and/or she didn't get along with the new coach. ND misses her at attacking mid.
Andrews committed at the end of 2010. That was when Boston College went to the College Cup and Notre Dame won the College Cup. That would have been middle of her sophomore year. Can't see how Notre Dame would have spent their entire scholarship limit that early, especially in 2010 for their class of 2013. Maybe Andrews just had a change of heart? Amazing to see how far those tow programs have fallen since then, BC especially. Both could use a top-class caliber player like Andrews.
I tend to agree with your assumption. In that Texas A&M game, Morgan Andrews only played 19 minutes. No doubt she was very disappointed and maybe even hurt feelings. That was her last game for ND.
On top of a coaching change at ND, MA was also left off of the U-20 world cup roster that year. USC has an excellent program and connections for her major. Her transfer definitely raised a lot of attention because of her caliber, but change can be good. Best of luck to USC in the College Cup.