Rafael Garcia Hometown: Palmdale, CA High School: Highland Height / Weight: 5-10 / 160 Position: Forward Birthdate: 04/08/1981

One of several players vying for a spot up front • had a great spring in which he began to find his role and niche in the lineup • an athletically gifted player who is a compliment to strikers Devon Prescod and Erich Braun • a pure all-around athlete who possess superior ball-handling skills • gives the Irish quickness and depth on the forward line • needs to become more aggressive around the goal area and become more of a goal-scoring threat.

AS A JUNIOR: Played in 12 games and earned only start of the season against Clemson • recorded his second career assist on Notre Dame's fourth goal of the game to teammate Justin Ratcliffe in Notre Dame's 5-0 win over Villanova for his only point of the season.

AS A SOPHOMORE: Played in six games during the 2001 season • saw action for the first time in the season opener against New Mexico.

AS A FRESHMAN: Appeared in all 20 contests and earned 12 starts during the '99 campaign • scored two goals and dished off an assist • one of five freshmen to start in the season opener • tallied the game-winning goal in the 67th minute off an assist from Andrew Aris in 1-0 win at Northwestern • scored the second goal of his career in 5-0 win over Villanova as he netted the game's first goal at the 16:55 mark off an assist from Erich Braun • dished off his first collegiate assist when he assisted on Braun's lone tally at the 20:52 mark in 1-0 win over Boston College in season opener • his performances against Northwestern and Boston College in the opening two games of the season, earned him the BIG EAST's initial rookie-of-the-week honor for the '99 season • a starter in the first six games of the season.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Established numerous goal-scoring records at Highland • four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain • set school record for goals scored in a career (50), single-season (33) and game (five) • as a senior established single-season mark for points (81) as he scored 33 goals and dished off 15 assists in his final scholastic season in leading team to Golden League conference championship • was the CIF southern section leading scorer as a senior and garnered league MVP honors • two-time team MVP and all-conference choice • member of the California South State Olympic Developmental Program since 1997 • led Palmdale club team to Under-16 USA Cup championship in 1997 • father played baseball at SUNY-New Paltz • class valedictorian • two-time member of BIG EAST Academic All-Star Team • born April 8, 1981 • a pre-professional major in the College of Science.

Garcia's Career Statistics

Year	GP-GS	Sh	G	A	Pts	GW
1999	20-12	19	2	1	5	2
2000	6-0	2	0	0	0	0
2001	12-1	4	0	1	1	0
Totals	38-13	25	2	2	6	0