Brooke VanDyck took a major step toward turning a dream into reality.

The rising junior at Penn (Mishawaka, Ind.) verbally committed to Notre Dame on Sunday.

"I've been going to the Notre Dame camps since fourth or fifth grade," said VanDyck, who plays for Indiana Fire Academy. "I've grown up dreaming of playing for Notre Dame, being that hometown girl at Notre Dame."

She lives about a 15-minute drive from Notre Dame’s campus, although she said will live on campus when she gets to college.

VanDyck helped Penn to a 22-0-1 season and a SIMA FAB 50 final No. 2 ranking last fall. She had nine goals and 17 assists and was second to Florida State-bound Kristina Lynch in scoring on the team. VanDyck was named to the TeamSnap State Stars list for Indiana. 

VanDyck is a speedy attacking player who can play just about any field position except center back. She projects as a forward/attacking mid or wide forward in the college game.

A year ago, VanDyck verbally committed to another program, but in the past two months started to second-guess her early decision. She said it was the combination of Notre Dame’s prestige, its academic standing and the fact the women’s soccer team competes in the ACC that led her to pick the Irish.

"And, I think all of the [Notre Dame] coaches can help my game, make me play better," she said. "All of the pieces fit together."

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