DURHAM, N.C. – Duke head coach Robbie Church and the Blue Devil women’s soccer team are set to kick off preseason practice Tuesday as the program prepares for the 37th overall season and the 24th under the direction of Church.
Practice begins Tuesday morning and the Blue Devils will have six days of workouts prior to hosting Furman on Monday, Aug. 5 at 5 p.m., in an exhibition match. Admission is free and contested at Koskinen Stadium.
Duke features the second and final exhibition Thursday, Aug. 8 at 5 p.m., as the Blue Devils host DC Power FC of the USL Super League.
The Blue Devils are primed for an exciting 2024 campaign, which will be the final season under the leadership of Church. Church announced recently the 2024 season will be his last in Durham, while associate head coach Kieran Hall will take over as head coach in 2025.
Duke returns 10 starters and welcomes a group of impressive newcomers, including four transfers – Hannah Bebar, Farrah Walters, Mia Oliaro and Ella Hase – that have combined to play in 141 matches with 132 starts, scored 48 goals, added 42 assists and notched 138 points over their careers.
The Blue Devils also return tri-captains – Nicky Chio, Maggie Graham and Katie Groff — from last year that will be using their extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Duke trio have combined to see action in 12,407 minutes, appeared in 203 matches, made 129 starts, scored 15 goals, notched 16 assists and posted 46 points over the last four seasons with the Blue Devils.
Junior Kat Rader, a two-time All-ACC selection, also returns as the top scorer from a season ago and 2023 Third Team All-ACC goalkeeper Leah Freeman will anchor the goal for Duke with a wealth of experience that includes 64 career games and 23 shutouts.
The Blue Devils officially open the 2024 campaign Aug. 15 at Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio at 7 p.m.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women’s soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching “https://goduke.com/news/2024/7/29/DukeWSOC”.
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