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Photo by: Angel City FC - NWSL
Nabet: Back Home in LA, Now as a Professional Athlete
2/21/2023 1:41:00 PM | Women's Soccer
By Morgan Pruchniewski, Duke Athletic Communications Student Assistant
DURHAM -- Lily Nabet returned back to her hometown of Los Angeles after graduating from Duke in 2021, but this time as a professional soccer player for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).Nabet had a solid career at Duke. The midfielder developed from playing just four matches her freshman year, to registering 55 career starts and serving as team captain. She played 5,129 minutes during her time as a Blue Devil, scoring 10 goals and collecting six assists. Nabet helped lead Duke into the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals over her final two seasons along with a total of 53 victories. Â
Following her five-year campaign for the Blue Devils, Nabet was selected in the third round of the 2022 NWSL draft as the 36th overall pick. She joined Angel City FC, returning to her hometown.
"Being back home in LA where I grew up is amazing," said Nabet. "Having family coming to games - which they didn't have the chance to do at Duke - is incredible."
The transition from college athlete to the NWSL was challenging, but Nabet faced it head on.
"It was really overwhelming," said Nabet. "You show up to camp the first day and you see all these big-name people you used to watch. I was pretty star-struck. But as time went on those big-name players have become some of my best friends."
Since that overwhelming first day, Nabet completed her rookie campaign playing 10 matches with two starts and recording over 200 minutes.
"One of my proudest moments this past season was starting against Portland," said Nabet. "I had one of the best games of my soccer career, and it was especially cool to do well against the team that had won it all."
She attributes her time at Duke and being a part of the Blue Devil family to her success in the professional league.
"Robbie, Kieran and Carla always told me that if I wanted to do it I could do it," said Nabet. "I give them a lot of credit for my mindset and me being here. My soccer journey was so different, I went from playing 14 minutes my freshman year to now being in the NWSL and I accredit a lot of that to having such a good relationship with them."
After wrapping up her rookie campaign, Nabet was focused during the off season. She returns to the field this season with a fresh mindset and determination.
"I've been in the weight room and doing a lot of fitness this off season," said Nabet. "My goal is to go into this season as fit and as strong as possible. My mindset is going to change a little this season now that I'm not coming in as a completely new person, I'm not going to shy away and want to become a more impactful player."
Other than accomplishments on the field, Nabet also wants to continue being a part of her team's commitment to their mission off the field.
"It's also been great to be a part of a club that stands for something so much bigger than soccer," said Nabet. "Their community outreach is incredible, their fight for equality and inclusivity for women's sports and women around the world is breaking barriers."
Nabet returns to Angel City for another year back home. Watch her and the rest of Angel City FC compete in their first match of the season against Gotham FC March 26!
#GoDuke
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