June 4, 2002

NKU SIGNS IRISH SOCCER STANDOUT

Ireland’s Callaghan to play women’s soccer at NKU

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University women’s soccer head coach Bob Sheehan announced Tuesday that Aisling Callaghan, a native of County Roscommon, Ireland, will continue her education at NKU this fall and play soccer for the Norse. Callaghan, a 5-foot-1 striker, is a member of the Irish National Team and is considered an outstanding scorer. She graduated from Dublin City University last year with a bachelor’s degree in financial and actuarial mathematics, and she will work on her master’s degree at NKU. “We are thrilled that Aisling has chosen to attend Northern Kentucky University and pursue a MBA in finance,” Sheehan said. “Aisling possesses a high level of intelligence and maturity which will be beneficial to the program. As she has played internationally, we are excited about the experience she brings to the program. “Perhaps most importantly, we are enthusiastic about the addition of someone from a different background, and the growth that our student-athletes can achieve by learning about customs and traditions of the Irish culture and befriending someone from another part of the world.” Callaghan will join an NKU program that has reached the NCAA Division II Final Four the past three years. The Norse, who were ranked No. 1 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll much of last season, have also won four straight Great Lakes Valley Conference championships. NKU finished with a 22-2 record last season. Callaghan has played for the Shamrock Rovers since 1999 in Ireland, and she has helped her team win both the Dublin Women's Soccer League and Women’s Football Association of Ireland National Cup. “She has good control, pace and likes to dribble, but what sets her apart is her uncanny ability to score goals,” Irish National Team coach Noel King said of Callaghan.