Game On: Nicky Chico Buckles Down for Junior Year

By Charlotte Tannenbaum, Duke Athletics Communications Student Assistant

“You have two options: you can either take your ball and go home, or you can say game on.”  

Wise words from Nicky Chico. After a summer of working on both her physical and mental approach to the game, the junior midfielder/defender clearly chose to say “game on” and has hit the ground running since her return to Durham.

Chico spent the summer playing for the Women’s Premier Soccer League, where she focused on building her skills while competing against other collegiate players.

“I was working with girls who I actually play against in the ACC,” says Chico. “The talent level and competition were really high on the team.”

In addition to getting in practice time on the field, Chico also focused on strengthening her mindset.

“My goal this summer was to work on my mentality,” added Chico.  “I know I have the skill in me, it was just finding the confidence to play as the best version of myself.”

Chico’s competitive spirit and relentless attitude have not gone unnoticed. Head coach Robbie Church commends the player on her reliability and high intensity. “You know, you always can count on Nicky. She is always going to play hard and compete all the time.”

Church also compliments the junior on her willingness to take criticism and adjust course.

“She is the one who embraces coming to talk with the coaches and getting feedback, getting the truth being told to her,” said Church.  “Then she goes out and works on it.  Nicky is a big part of our team.”

Chico’s resilience and willingness to learn have led to massive strides in her game since freshman year. The defender also credits her teammates with playing a big role in her development as a player. Specifically, Duke women’s soccer graduate Caitlin Cosme, now playing for the Orlando Pride, served as a major inspiration to her.  

“There’s nobody who is more supportive and encouraging than her,” says Chico. “Watching her was honestly one of the most inspiring things … how hard she worked, and how she communicated to the team in such a positive way. I keep thinking, ‘how can I step up and perform at the level that she did?’ because she had such a big impact on this team.”

Now an upperclassman herself, Chico is certainly serving in a similar supportive role.  Her steadfast devotion to her…