DURHAM – As the NWSL season gets ready to head into the month of July, the Blue Devils continue to make waves with their NWSL teams. A total of 10 Duke women's soccer standouts are seeing action. The latest update is below:Â
Quinn – OL Reign (NWSL) – Canada National Team
Since our last update, Quinn has appeared in four more contests, marking eight on the season. As their club continues to shine this season, Quinn has become a model of two-way play for the OL Reign, registering five clearances, two blocks, and four interceptions on defense to pair with a goal and an assist on the offensive end. Their defensive percentages remain high as well, with a 60 percent tackle success rate and a fantastic 88.9 percent aerial duel success rate. The Reign have posted a 7-4-2 record so far this season, recording the second-most goals scored this season behind only the Portland Thorns. Quinn's passing continues to be her strong point on the offensive end, maintaining a fantastic 81 percent passing completion rate on over 200 total pass attempts. In a most recent 2-1 win over the San Diego Wave, they recorded their first assist of the season on a goal scored by Bethany Balcer and played 89 minutes in the win. They, along with the club, are looking forward to their next matchup against Portland on June 28 at 10:30 p.m. Â
Ella Stevens – Chicago Red Stars (NWSL) Â
Stevens' durability and scoring ability have been on full display this year as she currently leads the team in scoring with three goals while competing in all 13 of her team's games. Starting in nine games and recording a 71 percent passing completion percentage, the 25-year-old has been on fire so far this season for the Red Stars. Stevens competed as a member of the Blue Devils for four years between 2016 and 2019, collecting multiple individual awards over her time at Duke. The Red Stars currently sit in 12th place with a 3-9-1 record and will rely upon Stevens to continue carrying a high offensive load as they look for a win against the San Diego Wave FC on July 1 at 8 p.m. Â
Mia Gyau – San Diego Wave FC (NWSL) Â
Recently on May 31, Gyau played all 90 minutes in a 3-0 loss to the OL Reign in the Challenge Cup as she registered her first start of the season. Her talent as a defender was shown in the Challenge Cup, recording five clearances and two interceptions with terrific success rates. Over her five years at Duke, Gyau was no stranger to adversity. After suffering multiple injuries and setbacks, her determination and passion for the game motivated her to return to the field and play at the professional level. Gyau's resilience and dedication to the game has earned the respect of her peers. San Diego will next face Angel City on July 28 at 10:30 p.m. Â
Lily Nabet – Angel City FC (NWSL) Â
So far this season, Nabet has played in nine of a possible 13 games and has started four. Nabet, who plays for her hometown Angel City FC based in Los Angeles, played for Duke between 2017 and 2021, serving as a mainstay at midfield for the Blue Devils. Though she is still looking to break into the scoring column, she has proven to be a reliable two-way player as shown through her defensive stats. Across her nine matches played, she has recorded five clearances, two blocks, and six interceptions. On the offensive side of the ball, her skill as a passer has been shown through her fantastic 77 percent passing completion percentage and making two key passes so far this year. Nabet and her club hope to continue improving as they prepare for their next match against San Diego on June 28 at 10:30 p.m.
Caitlin Cosme – Orlando Pride (NWSL) Â
An absolute star on the defensive side of the ball, Cosme has proven the Orlando Pride made the right choice when they drafted her 10th overall in 2022. In the four games she's played so far this year, Cosme has recorded 19 clearances on a 29 percent tackle success rate. Cosme's also recorded a terrific six blocks and three interceptions, showing how much her presence is missed on the defensive end. During her five seasons as a Blue Devil, Cosme was spectacular on the defensive end and started in 62 games of a possible 70 games played while at Duke. The Pride will next face the Washington Spirit on July 1 at 7 p.m.
Tess Boade – NC Courage (NWSL) Â
Since recovering from her injury, Boade has made an immediate impact and played in four matches for the second-place North Carolina Courage, starting in three. The team currently sits at 7-4-2, with Boade being a significant contributor to the team's success. Though she has not yet scored a goal so far, Boade has recorded two assists and currently holds an 81 percent passing rate, flashing her talent as a playmaker. The former Blue Devil played alongside fellow NWSL standout Lily Nabet at Duke between the years of 2017 and 2021, playing in over 90 contests. the Courage will next face Houston on July 1 at 7:30 p.m. Â
Michelle Cooper – KC Current (NWSL) Â
The former Duke star has started nine matches so far this year for the Current, while coming off the bench in four. The highest-drafted player in Duke women's soccer history, Cooper has scored one regular season goal and one goal in the Challenge Cup. Cooper's recent goal against Washington was the fastest goal in NWSL history in only 22 seconds. She has shown talent on the defensive side as well, recording eight clearances and five interceptions with an even 50 percent aerial duel success rate and a 77 percent tackle success rate. In a most recent 2-1 win over Caitlin Cosme and the Orlando Pride, she played a full 90 minutes for the fifth time this season, showing the same durability she flashed while at Duke. Cooper hopes to continue her strong rookie season for the Current as they prepare to take on the defending champion Portland Thorns FC on July 1. Â
Sophie Jones – Chicago Red Stars (NWSL) Â
Jones has yet to play in any regular season contests so far for the Chicago Red Stars. However, she has recorded significant minutes in two Challenge Cup matches, playing 45 minutes in a loss to Racing Louisville FC and, most recently, 58 minutes in a match against
Michelle Cooper and the Kansas City Current. Jones played for four years at Duke, starting in all 75 games she played in and recording 18 points. The 21-year-old ranks fifth all-time in starts as a Blue Devil and was a recipient of multiple individual awards, including twice being named to the all-ACC second team. Chicago will next face San Diego on July 1. Â
Mackenzie Pluck – Angel City FC (NWSL) Â
Though she's only seen the field once this regular season briefly in a loss to the Washington Spirit, Pluck played 18 minutes over two matches in the 2023 Challenge Cup as a member of Angel City FC. The epitome of consistency while attending Duke, Pluck still holds the school record for games played as a Blue Devil at 107 and recorded 71 points over five years at Duke. Pluck and her club's next match will be against San Diego on June 28 at 10:30 p.m.Â
Imani Dorsey – NJ/NY Gotham FC – (NWSL) Â
Dorsey's presence on the defensive end is still missed by her club as she has yet to appear in any NWSL matches this season. The club currently sits in fifth place with a 6-4-3 record, just two points behind the Washington Spirit and four points out of first place. Dorsey's consistency and defensive efforts were on display this past 2022 season as she recorded 35 tackles, 11 blocks, and an impressive 35 interceptions. The 27-year-old also played the second most games of anyone on her team at 21, missing only one game. Dorsey and Gotham FC hope she can make a return sometime this season as the team prepares for their next match against Angel City FC on July 2.