It isn't a dream come true.

It's two dreams come true.

Former Bishop Chatard High School soccer star Julie Scheidler grew up hoping to play in the College Cup semifinals -- the sport's version of the Final Four -- and to continue a family legacy of attending the University of Notre Dame that dates back three generations.

Even her dreams, however, didn't dare combine the two.

But Scheidler usually starts at right defensive back for the Fighting Irish -- a team with a chance of playing in this year's NCAA Tournament title game, which will be played at 2 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. ESPN2 will televise the game.

"I think back to my childhood, and I always wanted to go to Notre Dame, but it never sunk in that I could be playing (soccer) at a high level like this (too)," Scheidler said.

"It's been so awesome to have all the support from my family. They have someone playing a sport (at Notre Dame), so there's one more team to cheer for."

Twelve of her relatives have graduated from Notre Dame: grandfather J. Thomas O'Brien (1953); uncles Mark Scheidler ('71), Tom Miller ('75), Thomas O'Brien ('77) and Jeff Kohler ('79); aunt Rosaleen O'Brien Rogers ('87); uncles Christopher Paulison ('89), Joseph Vierhile ('90) and Timothy Kelly O'Brien ('95); aunt Maryann Wisler O'Brien ('95); cousin Mary Clare O'Brien ('03); and brother Matthew Scheidler ('05).

Cousin Michael Scheidler will join her in South Bend as a member of the class of 2011. Scheidler's mother, Colleen O'Brien Scheidler ('79), is a graduate of nearby St. Mary's College, as are six of her mother's seven sisters.

Scheidler grew up watching Notre Dame football every Saturday surrounded by relatives, but with the year the Irish had on the gridiron, the Scheidler clan has taken advantage of the women's soccer team's success.

Despite a schedule that spans from Santa Clara, Calif., to Gainesville, Fla., Scheidler had at least one relative at all of her games except for one trip to the Northeast.

"I was sort of brainwashed," said Scheidler, who took other official visits during the recruiting process but couldn't resist Notre Dame. "A lot of the girls make fun of me because I know the fight song so well. It's like second nature."

Scheidler was a record-setting forward at Chatard -- finishing her career with 73 goals and 37 assists and being named The Indianapolis Star's Super Team Player of the Year in 2006 -- but she was recruited as a defender.

With Scheidler primarily coming off the bench, the Irish allowed 15 goals in starting the season 3-4-1 as they struggled to replace a pair of senior defenders and had Carrie Dew, the defending Big East Defensive Player of the Year, recovering from a knee injury.

The coaching staff shuffled the starting lineup, and Scheidler has been part of a unit that has allowed just 10 goals in posting a 16-0-1 record.

"We were losing games we usually don't lose," coach Randy Waldrum said. "We made some adjustments in the back and found the right combination, including Julie.

"She was patient. I knew she would play a lot, but I wasn't sure she'd start. She has made the most of her opportunities and solidified our right back."

Scheidler credited her veteran teammates for helping her settle in as a freshman. She started two of the team's first seven games, then moved into the starting lineup full-time and has posted one assist and six shots in 25 appearances, playing 1,628 minutes.