If you say the name, "Rocket", to Notre Dame fans they know exactly who you are referring to. Raghib "Rocket" Ismail was a star in football for the Fighting Irish than went on to have an NFL career with teams such as the Raiders and Cowboys.
If you say the name "Citron", fans would also know exactly who are speaking about. Sonia Citron led the women's basketball program to an ACC title in her sophomore season and is now along with Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu, is one of the faces of the WNBA.
But many might not know the women's soccer program has produced many NWSL products who have made an impact in the league.
Mandy Laddish who retired, played for Notre Dame from 2010 to 2013. In her freshmen season she started every game leading to a national title for the school. It was a sign of things to come as she was upon a part of the FC Current organization that won two NWSL titles in 2014 and 2015.
Now, as many Notre Dame fans are following along on their football program, rooting for Citron in the WNBA or watching the Chicago Bears with alumni Cole Kmet playing for the organization; there are many NWSL players they will be looking at following as the playoffs are set to kick off on the pitch.
The Houston Dash is in 10th place in the standings and have two players from the Irish. Katie Lind at center back and midfielder Kiki Van Zanten are both on the club that is fighting for playoff spot. Van Zinten has two goals and an assist in just 14 starts.
The Orlando Pride and Seattle Reign FC are sitting in playoff positions
Brianna Martinez (Orlando) and Maddie Mercado (Seattle) are both on loan in the USL league but one could reason that they could be activated to the active roster for the postseason, and if either team wins the NWSL championship could join Laddish as champions.
Stanford and North Carolina are obvious choices for great programs that produce pro players in women's soccer, but the Fighting Irish should be considered as another strong program.
In addition to playing for Notre Dame, Van Zanten play for the Jamaican national team at the 2023 World Cup.
Now the postseason for the NWSL is about to start, "Kiki" should become as much as a household name as the Rocket.