DURHAM – As the 2023 NWSL Draft gets set to commence on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m., four Duke women’s soccer standouts – Michelle Cooper, Sophie Jones, Maggie Graham and Mackenzie Pluck — are hoping to see their named called at the United Soccer Coaches Convention, which is being held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Fans will be able to watch the draft live on the CBS Sports Network from 6-7 p.m. (ET) and then on Paramount+ and CBS Sports HQ from 7-11 p.m.
The draft will consist of four rounds with a total of 48 picks.
Recently named the Hermann Trophy Award winner, Cooper is coming off the best overall season in NCAA Division I soccer in 2022 with 49 points, 19 goals and 11 assists. The two-time United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-American was the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 in all three categories. In the NCAA stats, Cooper ranked No. 2 in points (49), tied for second in goals (19) and tied for ninth in assists (11). A native of Clarkston, Mich., Cooper accumulated 31 goals, 16 assists and 78 points in 40 matches in two years with the Blue Devils.
One of the top midfielders in the nation, Jones started all 23 matches this past season. The Menlo Park, Calif., native notched two goals and three assists for seven points, while directing the Duke midfield. Jones started all 75 matches she played in over her Duke career, while registering eight assists, five goals and 18 points. She was a 2022 and 2020-21 United Soccer Coaches All-American and a three-time All-ACC selection.
Graham closed her Duke career appearing in 105 career matches, while making a school-record 103 starts over the last five seasons. She netted four goals and 19 assists for 27 points, while helping lead the Blue Devils to 52 shutouts on the defensive end. Graham, who is from Atlanta, Ga., appeared in a school-record 8,767 minutes, was a three-time All-ACC selection and a four-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree.
A product of North Wales, Pa., Pluck saw action in a Duke-record 107 matches and made 78 starts over five years with the Blue Devils. She collected 21 goals and 29 assists for 71 points. Pluck’s 29 assists is tied for fourth on Duke’s all-time charts, while adding six game-winning goals. A four-time ACC Honor Roll selection and 2022 College Sports…
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