Adirondack Lynx

Erika Bohn Returns to the Game She Loves

2004 College Cup Defensive MVP and past U21 US National Team player is looking to continue her pursuit of playing professionally

Wednesday April 4, 2007

Erika Bohn, the 2004 College Cup Defensive MVP and National Champion with the fighting Irish has agreed to play with the Adirondack Lynx in 2007. Bohn is currently in residency with the US Women's National Handball team. However, this summer she will be taking time out of her busy schedule to prepare for the return of the US Women's Professional Soccer League.

PJ Motsiff, General Manager has focused his off-season efforts on keeping the ball out of Adirondack's net. "Last year we gave up 13 goals, that's over a goal per game and at this level one goal is often the difference. Fortunately for our team we were ripping the nets at almost 2.5 goals per game." Motsiff feels adding Bohn really makes his team a contender in 2007. "Adding Erika to our roster will now force our keepers to compete in training for game time. We have this at all of the other field positions. Now adding the 'competitive cauldron' to the keeper position should raise the intensity for the entire team whenever we set foot on the pitch."

Bohn has had a stellar soccer career. How good? Check out what she has accomplished since starting 19 games and being involved with 8 shutouts her freshman year at Notre Dame.

1st Team Academic All-American 2004, 2005
2nd Team Academic All-American 2003
NCAA National Champions 2004
College Cup Defensive MVP 2004
Division I Women's Soccer Statistical Champion - Goals Against Average 2004
NSCAA 2nd Team All-Region 2003
3rd Team All-Big East 2005
Big East Regular Season Champions 2003, 2004, 2005
Big East Tournament Champion 2005
U.S. Under-21 National Team 2005
Nordic Cup Champions 2005

College Matches - Played 86
College Matches - Started 80
College Career Minutes 6,788
College Career GAA 0.69

Up Close and Personal with Erika Bohn...

How do you feel about being involved with the Adirondack Lynx?

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to train and play with the Lynx this summer. I think it will be a great way to make the transition back into soccer, and it will give me a chance to step back into a high level of soccer."

Any immediate goals for yourself or the team?

"My personal goal is to get back into soccer form as quickly as possible, and really contribute to the team this year.

What's your best/favorite memory from your Notre Dame/U21 playing experiences?

Playing at Notre Dame for 4 years was an amazing experience, and playing at such a high level really pushed me as a player. My best memory from Notre Dame, and probably for my whole soccer career, was winning the National Championship in 2004. I have also had great experiences playing with the U-21 National team, and was on the team that won the 2005 Nordic Cup in Sweden.

I'm very excited about the opportunity to train and play with the Lynx this summer. I think it will be a great way to make the transition back into soccer, and it will give me a chance to step back into a high level of soccer.”  - Erika Bohn

What's it like to win a national championship and stand on the pitch afterwards?

"It is really difficult to put into words the feeling of winning a national championship, especially the way we did it in PKs in 2004. It was definetly the greatest feeling I've ever had. When you work so hard for something, it feels amazing to be rewarded with a National Championship. "

What's your biggest heart break/disappointment from your soccer experiences?

"I think my biggest disappointment was my senior year at Notre Dame when we lost in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. We definitely had the talent to go all the way again, but it just didn't work out that year. It was hard to face my college career being over. "

What was the U21 team like and how did you enjoy that experience?

"It's always a great experience to get called into camps for the National team. It's fun to play with girls you play against all season long. I had been called into camps previously and really worked hard to make the roster for the Nordic Cup in 2005. So it was great to win that tournament with the team and see more of what international competition is like. "

When and why did you make the transition to handball?

"After my final season at Notre Dame, I really thought I was done playing soccer and was ready to move on to do different things. Especially since the WUSA was gone, I decided to take a break from the sport. During the spring semester of my senior year I got invited to try-out for the U.S. Women's National Team Handball team. It came at a perfect time, and I was really excited to play a new sport with the chance of Olympic qualification. "

What is the US National Handball program all about and what are some things you've done with it?

"Handball is the second most popular sport in Europe behind soccer. It's fast-paced, very physical and high scoring. Since it is not well known in the U.S., the women's national team recruits a lot of college athletes who played different sports. For instance, we have soccer, volleyball, basketball, rugby and softball players. We are a very athletic team, but lack the experience that other countries have. With the team, I've traveled to Europe on two occasions and saw handball played at the highest levels. We are still looking to qualify for the Pan Am Games, which will be in July 2007. "

How do you feel about the chance to play in the WPSL?

"I am very excited to be playing with the Lynx this summer, and think the league will really help my transition back into soccer and hopefully to the WUSA. "

 

Related Links :

• Erika Bohn, Notre Dame
• Erika Bohn, US Women's National Handball Team
• Women's Soccer World
• Girls Soccer World