Matt Besler Class: Junior Hometown: Overland Park, KS High School: Blue Valley West Height / Weight: 6-0 / 170 Position: Defense

An all-BIG EAST performer • a talented athlete who will look to start as a central defender for the second straight season • a very accomplished player • has played in 45 career games, including 28 starts • has totaled eight points on two goals and four assists • makes very good decisions • a BIG EAST Academic All-Star • has trained with the U.S. Under-20 National Team • a twotime monogram winner.

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 careerbest 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 • earned a monogram.

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' 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's • netted the penalty kick that iced the Notre Dame'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 • earned a monogram.

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 under-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, a junior on the Irish tennis team • from the same area as sophomore 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 • enrolled in the College of Arts and Letters as a pre-professional studies and anthropology major • carries a 3.353 cumulative GPA.

Besler's Career Statistics