Alessia Mirhashemi Joins Notre Dame Women's Soccer

The Fighting Irish announced the incoming class, which includes defender Alessia “Lolly” Mirhashemi from Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Mirhashemi, who plays for the San Diego Surf and attends the Auxano YSC Advantage Academy, arrives in South Bend with a resume defined by high-level club success. Her track record includes a U15 National Championship in 2024, where she served as team captain, and a string of individual accolades, including U15 National Player of the Year honors that same season.

The defender’s transition to the collegiate level is fueled by a consistent history of performance on the national stage. She was a U16 All-American in 2025 and has earned U16 Southwest Conference Player of the Year honors. Her experience also includes multiple deep runs in the ECNL, reaching the national semifinals in 2023 and 2025, and the national quarterfinals in 2026.

Beyond the hardware, the coaching staff expects Mirhashemi to provide an immediate technical upgrade to the defensive rotation. “Lolly brings a great pedigree to our program,” said Norman. “She comes from the San Diego Surf, which is another club we have had great success with.”

Alessia Mirhashemi Joins Notre Dame Women's Soccer

The tactical value of this addition lies in her specific profile as a ball-playing center back.

Norman said that her composure on the ball is a defining trait, explaining that "she brings a calmness to the game every time she steps on the field due to her technical and leadership abilities." For a program that prioritizes building from the back, her ability to dictate tempo is expected to help the team during the upcoming season.

Mirhashemi’s high school career in California has mirrored her club achievements, with CIF and league championship titles in both 2023 and 2024. She was named to the All-League First Team in both of those seasons, reinforcing her status as a consistent presence on the pitch.

Her ability to play out of the back will be a primary focus for the Irish coaching staff as they integrate the new class into their system.