Duke Blue Devils women's soccer

The Duke Blue Devils women's soccer team represent Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I women's college soccer. The team was founded in 1988.[2] The Blue Devils have won the ACC regular season championship four times. The team has advanced to the NCAA Women's soccer tournament 26 times, including 5 College Cup appearances.

Duke Blue Devils women's soccer
2024 Duke Blue Devils women's soccer team
Founded1988; 36 years ago (1988)
UniversityDuke University
Head coachRobbie Church (24th season)
ConferenceACC
LocationDurham, North Carolina
StadiumKoskinen Stadium
(Capacity: 4,500)
NicknameBlue Devils
ColorsDuke blue and white[1]
   
Home
Away
NCAA Tournament runner-up
1992, 2011, 2015
NCAA Tournament College Cup
1992, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2024
NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals
1992, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
NCAA Tournament Round of 16
1992, 1996, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
NCAA Tournament appearances
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
Conference Regular Season championships
1994, 2011, 2017, 2024

History

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1980s

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Duke Women's Soccer was established in 1988 under head coach Bill Hempen, who was a Duke Men's soccer coach prior to this position.[2] Hempen was assisted by Carla Overbeck,[3] a previous player at UNC Chapel Hill. While at UNC, Overbeck remained unbeaten for four seasons, and won four national championships. Dukes first two seasons were successful ones. The team won 10 games in their inaugural 1988 season, and followed that with 14 wins in 1989. The two seasons had a combined 1–4–1 ACC record and the team did not make an NCAA Tournament appearance in either season.

1990s

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The 1990s began with a similar story of out of conference success, but ACC struggle. The Blue Devils only managed one ACC win each season in 1990–1992. However, in 1992, the team finished as runner up in the ACC Tournament and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. In their first-ever NCAA appearance, Duke made it all the way to the final, only to lose to North Carolina. This began a string of six consecutive NCAA appearances for the team. The Blue Devils also notched a then program record 17 wins in 1992 and 1994. The streak of NCAA Tournament appearances ended in 1998, when the Blue Devils failed to qualify for the tournament after a 7–11–2 season. During this stretch the team never advanced past the second round in the NCAA Tournament, but did win double digit games in each year. The decade ended with a return to the NCAA tournament and a 13–10–0 season in 1999.

In 1999, while coaching at Duke, Overbeck played in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup[4] as a captain. This team went on to win the world championship.

2000s

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In 2001, the Duke Women's Soccer program received a new head coach, Robbie Church,[5] Church was assisted by Overbeck and Billy Lesesne,[6] who had coached with Church at Vanderbilt. Previous coach, Bill Hempen, took a new job with the Colorado Buffaloes.[7] The transition would prove a difficult one, with the Blue Devils winning 9 and 8 games in Hempen's first two seasons. In 2002, Duke missed the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in 11 years. However, the lull would not last for long. 2003 saw the team win 14 games and start a new streak of NCAA appearances. The following year, 2004, the Blue Devils won 15 games and reached the NCAA Round of 16. The team reached the NCAA Tournament for the remainder of the decade, and reached the Quarterfinals twice, in 2007 and 2008. 2009 proved to be a down year with the team finishing 8–9–4 and only reaching the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

2010s

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Schuyler DeBree DWS member, in action v Boston College, 2014

The decade began with a run to the NCAA Round of 16 in 2010. 2011 proved an even better season. The Blue Devils set a new record for total wins in a season with 22 en route to the NCAA Final. However, they would fall short to Stanford in the final. 2012 and 2013 also saw runs to the NCAA Quarterfinals, but the 2013 campaign only yielded 9 total wins. In 2014, Lesesne left Duke for a head coaching job at Georgia, and was replaced by Erwin van Bennekom.[8] 2014 proved difficult, as the Blue Devils had their first losing season since 2009 and ended a spell of eleven straight NCAA Tournament appearances. However, 2014 would prove to be just a blip. In the 2015 season, the Blue Devils women's soccer team made a run to the final of the Women's Soccer College Cup,[9] which they lost to Penn State by a score of 1–0. 2017 saw the team set a program record for total wins with 23 and ACC wins with 10. The Blue Devils made another run to the College Cup. This time they lost to UCLA on penalties.

2020s

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The decade started with a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The team played a shortened non-conference schedule in the spring and played a reduced ACC schedule. They finished in fifth place in the ACC with a 4–2–2 record. They reached the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, posting their best result in that tournament since 2017. 2021 saw a return to a more normal schedule where the team finished 16–4–1 and 7–2–1 in ACC play to finish in third place. They again reached the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. In 2022, the Blue Devils finished 15–5–3 overall and 6–2–2 in ACC play to finish in a tie for fourth place. They extended their streak of NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal appearances to three, but were again stopped at that stage. 2023 did not end well for the Blue Devils as they finished 6–7–3 overall and 2–5–3 in ACC play. Their six total wins were the lowest in program history at the time, and their two total conference wins were the lowest since the 2002 season. It was the first season in seven years they did not qualify for the ACC tournament and it ended an eight-year streak of qualifying for the NCAA tournament.

Personnel

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Current roster

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As of July 10, 2024[10]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
0 GK   USA Leah Freeman
2 FW   USA Kat Rader
3 FW   USA Ella Hase
4 DF   USA Baleigh Bruster
5 DF   USA Phoebe Goldthwaite
6 MF   USA Devin Lynch
7 DF   USA Cameron Roller
8 FW   USA Elle Piper
9 MF   USA Lauren Martinho
10 MF   USA Mary Long
11 FW   USA Julia Saunicheva
12 MF   USA Taylor Evans
13 FW   USA Mia Minestrella
14 FW   USA Sophia Recupero
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 FW   USA Mia Oliaro
16 MF   USA Carina Lageyre
17 DF   USA Nicole Chico
18 MF   USA Hannah Bebar
19 MF   USA Maggie Graham
20 DF   USA Kelly Wilson
21 DF   USA Katie Groff
22 DF   USA Sam Bodensteiner
24 DF   USA Kaeden Koons-Perdikis
25 FW   USA Madison Foxhoven
26 GK   USA Bianca Dominguez
27 FW   USA Farrah Walters
30 GK   USA Caroline Dysart

Team management

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Position Staff
Head coach Robbie Church
Assistant coach Keieran Hall
Assistant coach Carla Overbeck
Assistant coach Jason Lowe
As of November 20, 2023[10]

Facilities

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The Blue Devils play on Koskinen Stadium. The Koskinen is also home to the men's soccer team, along with the men's and women's lacrosse teams. The stadium was dedicated in 1999 in honor of John and Patricia Koskinen. The stadium can hold around 7,000 fans.[11] Kennedy Tower is a new addition to Koskinen Stadium. It was recently dedicated in 2015 in honor of Chris and Ana Kennedy. Chris is the Duke Senior Deputy Director of Athletes. The Kennedy Tower, offers press boxes and hospitality suites to the top of Koskinen Stadium.[12] The teams' locker rooms are in the Willam David Murray Building. The Duke Football team used to use the Murray Building from 1988 to 2002. Then the men's and women's soccer and lacrosse teams moved into the building. It houses the training room and weight room for all other Olympic Sports teams.[13]

Seasons

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Season Head coach[14] Season result[15] Tournament results[16]
Overall Conference Conference NCAA
Wins Losses Ties Wins Losses Ties
1988 Bill Hempen 10 6 1 0 1 1 First round
1989 14 8 0 1 3 0 First round
1990 12 8 0 1 3 0 Second Round
1991 8 10 1 1 2 1 First round
1992 17 5 2 1 2 1 Runner up NCAA Runner Up
1993 12 6 3 2 1 1 Runner up NCAA First Round
1994 17 5 1 5 0 1 Runner up NCAA Second Round
1995 14 7 1 4 3 0 Second Round NCAA Second Round
1996 10 10 3 3 3 1 First round NCAA Second Round
1997 14 6 1 6 1 0 Second Round NCAA First Round
1998 7 11 2 0 5 2 First round
1999 13 10 0 2 5 0 First round NCAA Second Round
2000 14 8 1 4 3 0 Runner up NCAA Second Round
2001 Robbie Church 8 10 1 2 5 0 First round NCAA Second Round
2002 9 9 2 2 3 2 Second Round
2003 14 7 1 4 3 0 Second Round NCAA Second Round
2004 15 8 0 5 4 0 Second Round NCAA Round of 16
2005 14 6 1 6 4 0 Second Round NCAA Second Round
2006 9 8 4 5 4 1 First round NCAA Second Round
2007 10 6 7 3 3 4 First round NCAA Quarterfinal
2008 15 6 3 4 3 3 First round NCAA Quarterfinal
2009 8 9 4 4 4 2 First round NCAA First Round
2010 11 8 4 4 5 1 First round NCAA Round of 16
2011 22 4 1 8 1 1 Second Round NCAA Runner Up
2012 15 6 2 5 3 2 First round NCAA Quarterfinal
2013 9 9 6 5 5 3 First round NCAA Quarterfinal
2014 8 9 1 4 5 1
2015 14 6 5 4 3 3 NCAA Runner up
2016 15 5 3 7 2 1 First round NCAA Quarterfinal
2017 23 2 1 10 0 0 Runner up NCAA Semifinal
2018 16 4 2 8 1 1 First round NCAA Round of 16
2019 9 4 7 3 1 6 First round NCAA Second Round
2020 12 5 4 4 2 2 Second Round NCAA Quarterfinal
2021 16 4 1 7 2 1 First round NCAA Quarterfinal
2022 15 5 3 6 2 2 Semifinal NCAA Quarterfinal
2023 6 7 3 2 5 3

Honors and awards

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Michelle Cooper won the 2022 Hermann Trophy, becoming the first Duke women's soccer player to win college soccer's highest individual award.[17]

United Soccer Coaches All-Americans

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The Blue Devils have received 20 All-American honors, including eight first-team selections.[18]

Name Year
Michelle Cooper 2021 (1st team), 2022 (1st team)
Sophie Jones 2020 (3rd team)
Kayla McCoy 2018 (1st team)
Imani Dorsey 2017 (1st team)
Quinn[a] 2017 (1st team)
Schuyler DeBree 2017 (3rd team)
Christina Gibbons 2015 (2nd team), 2016 (1st team)
Natasha Anasi 2011 (1st team), 2012 (2nd team)
Kaitlyn Kerr 2011 (3rd team)
Becca Moros 2006 (3rd team)
Carolyn Ford 2005 (2nd team)
Sherrill Kester 1999 (3rd team)
Andi Melde 1997 (3rd team)
Kristy Whelchel 1996 (3rd team)
Kelly Walbert 1993 (1st team), 1994 (1st team), 1995 (2nd team)
Jennifer Lewis 1992 (2nd team)

All-ACC honorees

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The Blue Devils have received 106 All-ACC honors, including 50 first-team selections.[18]

Name Year Other recognitions
Kat Rader 2022 (2nd team), 2023 (2nd team) 2022 ACC Freshman of the Year
Tess Boade 2021 (1st team)
Michelle Cooper 2021 (1st team), 2022 (1st team) 2021 ACC Freshman of the Year, 2021 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, 2022 ACC Offensive Player of the Year, 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy winner
Ruthie Jones 2021 (1st team), 2022 (2nd team)
Sophie Jones 2020 (1st team), 2021 (2nd team), 2022 (2nd team)
Delaney Graham 2019 (2nd team), 2020 (3rd team), 2022 (2nd team)
Taylor Mitchell 2020 (3rd team)
Ella Stevens 2016 (3rd team), 2017 (2nd team), 2018 (2nd team), 2019 (2nd team)
Kayla McCoy 2017 (1st team), 2018 (1st team) 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist
Taylor Racioppi 2017 (2nd team), 2018 (2nd team)
Schuyler DeBree 2017 (1st team) 2017 ACC Defensive Player of the Year
Imani Dorsey 2016 (2nd team), 2017 (1st team) 2017 ACC Offensive Player of the Year, 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, 2017 United Soccer Coaches National Scholar-Athlete of the Year
EJ Proctor 2017 (1st team) 2015 NCAA College Cup Most Valuable Defensive Player
Quinn[a] 2015 (3rd team), 2017 (1st team) 2017 ACC Midfielder of the Year, 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist
Ashton Miller 2015 (3rd team), 2017 (3rd team)
Christina Gibbons 2014 (2nd team), 2015 (1st team), 2016 (1st team) 2016 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist
Toni Payne 2014 (2nd team), 2016 (1st team)
Natasha Anasi 2011 (1st team), 2012 (2nd team), 2013 (2nd team) 2011 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, 2012 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist
Kim DeCesare 2012 (2nd team), 2013 (3rd team)
Cassie Pecht 2012 (2nd team) 2012 ACC Freshman of the Year
Laura Weinberg 2010 (2nd team), 2011 (2nd team), 2012 (1st team)
Kaitlyn Kerr 2011 (1st team)
Tara Campbell 2009 (2nd team), 2011 (2nd team)
Kelly Cobb 2011 (2nd team)
Mollie Pathman 2010 (2nd team), 2011 (2nd team)
KayAnne Gummersall 2009 (2nd team)
Elisabeth Redmond 2007 (2nd team), 2008 (1st team), 2009 (1st team)
Lorraine Quinn 2007 (1st team), 2008 (2nd team)
Darby Kroyer 2005 (2nd team), 2006 (2nd team)
Becca Moros 2004 (2nd team), 2005 (1st team), 2006 (1st team)
Carolyn Ford 2005 (1st team) 2005 ACC Defensive Player of the Year
Casey McCluskey 2001 (1st team), 2002 (1st team), 2003 (1st team), 2004 (1st team) 2001 ACC Freshman of the Year, 2004 ACC Offensive Player of the Year
Thora Helgadottir 2001 (1st team), 2002 (1st team), 2003 (1st team) ACC 50th Anniversary Team
Kate Seibert 2003 (2nd team)
Liz Wagner 2002 (2nd team)
Carly Fuller 2000 (2nd team), 2001 (2nd team)
Kim Daws 2000 (2nd team)
Gwendolyn Oxenham 2000 (2nd team)
Sarah Pickens 2000 (1st team)
Sherrill Kester 1996 (1st team), 1998 (2nd team), 1999 (1st team) ACC 50th Anniversary Team
Kasey Truman 1999 (2nd team)
Kristy Whelchel 1995 (2nd team), 1996 (1st team), 1997 (2nd team), 1998 (1st team) ACC 50th Anniversary Team
Andi Melde 1997 (1st team) 1997 ACC Player of the Year, ACC 50th Anniversary Team
Samantha Baggett 1994 (1st team), 1996 (2nd team), 1997 (2nd team)
Cara Lyons 1994 (2nd team), 1995 (2nd team)
Kelly Walbert 1993 (1st team), 1994 (1st team), 1995 (1st team) 1995 ACC Player of the Year, ACC 50th Anniversary Team
Melissa Carr 1994 (2nd team)
Lauren Cyran 1994 (2nd team)
Mandy Lehr 1994 (2nd team)
Katherine Remy 1993 (1st team), 1994 (1st team)
Missy Durham 1993 (1st team)
Jennifer Lewis 1991 (1st team), 1992 (1st team)
Heidi Mauger 1992 (1st team)
Delilah Huelsing 1990 (1st team)
Sue Sanders 1990 (1st team)
Caitlin Connolly 1989 (1st team)
Mary Pat Rosenthal 1988 (1st team)

Isis Dallis also won ACC Freshman of the Year in 1997.

Coaching awards

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Duke has received seven awards for coaching.[18]

Name Awards
Robbie Church ACC Coach of the Year (2011, 2017)
Bill Hempen National Coach of the Year (1992), ACC Coach of the Year (1992, 1994, 1997)
Entire staff 2017 National Staff of the Year

Notable alumni

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Current Professionals

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Current Coaches

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  • Samantha Bohon – (Played 1994–1997) – Head coach at Florida since 2022
  • Becca Moros - (Played 2003–2006) – Head coach at Arizona since 2021
  • Katie Ely - (Coached 2011–2012) – Assistant coach at Maryland since 2022
  • Steve Springthorpe - (Coached 2013) – Head coach at Tennessee Tech since 2014
  • Erwin van Bennekom (Coached 2015–2018) – Head coach at Indiana since 2018

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Known as Rebecca Quinn while at Duke

References

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  1. ^ "Duke Athletics Quick Facts". GoDuke.com. September 5, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Duke Women's Soccer Coach Bill Hempen Resigns". goduke.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  3. ^ "Carla Overbeck Bio". goduke.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  4. ^ FIFA.com (March 22, 2007). "FIFA Women's World Cup – USA 1999". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  5. ^ "Robbie Church Bio". goduke.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  6. ^ "Billy Lesesne Bio". goduke.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  7. ^ Ringo, Kyle (November 16, 2011). "Bill Hempen resigns as CU Buffs soccer coach". dailycamera.com. MediaNews Group. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  8. ^ "Erwin van Bennekom Named Soccer Assistant Coach". goduke.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  9. ^ "Women's soccer: Penn State outlasts Duke 1–0 for College Cup title". NCAA.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  10. ^ a b "2024 Women's Soccer Roster". goduke.com. Duke University Athletics. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "Koskinen Stadium". Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  12. ^ "Kennedy Tower Debuts This Weekend". Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  13. ^ "William David Murray Building". Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  14. ^ 2018 Media Guide, pp. 31
  15. ^ 2018 Media Guide, pp. 57–61
  16. ^ 2018 Media Guide, pp. 32
  17. ^ "Duke women's soccer striker Michelle Cooper wins 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy". DukeChronicle.com. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  18. ^ a b c "Duke Women's Soccer Media Guide 2021-22" (PDF). GoDuke.com. Retrieved December 25, 2021.

Works cited

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