Duke Blue Devils
ACC
It has been a bit of an up and down season for the very talented Duke Blue Devil women’s soccer team. The preseason favorite to roll through the ACC and all the way back to the College Cup has had to battle through some adverse stretches. They have been targeted by everyone in the ACC and at times struggled defensively, which hurt them early on this season. However, with a combination up front of Laura Weinberg and Kim DeCesare and the innate ability to raise their level play in the postseason, this is a Blue Devil team that is very dangerous and a candidate to win the 2012 Women’s College Cup.
2012 Record: 12-5-2, 5-3-2
Coach: Robbie Church
Good Results: 9/9 Marquette (5-2), 9/16 at Miami (3-2), 10/4 at Virginia Tech (3-2)
Bad Results: 8/26 vs Florida (2-3), 9/30 at Virginia (0-1), 10/18 North Carolina (0-2)
Why They Can Surprise:
The attacking form for Duke is absolutely outstanding when it is clicking on all cylinders. Laura Weinberg and Kim DeCesare have combined for 27 goals. Combined with the playmaking of Gilda Doria and Cassie Pecht, who have a collective 20 assists, the Blue Devil’s attack can sometimes look like one of the best in the sport. The experiences gained from last year’s run to the College Cup is also very important to note as this squad finally broke down the door that their neighbors, North Carolina, have had a stranglehold on as far as getting to the College Cup. If this team can get Weinberg and Decesare rolling in the postseason, this Blue Devil team has the personnel in place to win the 2012 Women’s College Cup.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Blue Devils can disappoint if teams find a way to lock down Laura Weinberg and no one else is able to capitalize on being freed up to score in the attacking third. Also Duke at times has struggled with coming out and compete at max intensity over the course of a match. If the Blue Devils are to get back to the College Cup, they have to bring their top form from the officials opening whistle. They are talented enough to overcome deficits, but if they fall too far behind, it will eventually cost them. Once you get into the Elite Eight and beyond, the teams that get to that level will absolutely punish you for any mistakes that you make especially on set pieces.
Key Strikers:
Laura Weinberg, Junior, 15 goals, 7 assists
Kim DeCesare, Junior, 12 goals, 6 assists
Key Midfielders:
Cassie Pecht, Freshman, 5 goals, 11 assists
Gilda Doria, Junior, 5 goals, 9 assists
Kaitlyn Kerr, Junior, 5 goals, 5 assists
Key Defenders:
Natasha Anasi, Junior, 0 goals, 2 assists
Libby Jandl, Senior, 0 goals, 1 assist
Erin Koballa, Senior, 0 goals, 1 assist
Key Goalkeepers:
Tara Campbell, Senior, 1.18 goals against average, .687 save percentage, 3 shutouts
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.74 (6th in nation, 1st in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 1.121 (128, 8)
Shutout Percentage: NA
Save Percentage: 0.699 (287, 9)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
Duke 2011 First Round Defeated Radford
Duke 2011 Second Round Defeated Georgia
Duke 2011 Third Round Defeated Ohio State
Duke 2011 Quarterfinals Defeated Long Beach State
Duke 2011 National Semifinals Defeated Wake Forest
Duke 2011 National Finals Lost to Stanford
Duke 2010 First Round Defeated California
Duke 2010 Second Round Defeated Florida
Duke 2010 Third Round Lost to Oklahoma State
Duke 2009 First Round Lost to Rutgers
Duke 2008 First Round Defeated Radford
Duke 2008 Second Round Defeated William & Mary
Duke 2008 Third Round Defeated Virginia
Duke 2008 Quarterfinals Lost to UCLA
Duke 2007 First Round Defeated South Carolina
Duke 2007 Second Round Defeated Georgia
Duke 2007 Third Round Defeated Indiana
Duke 2007 Quarterfinals Lost to Notre Dame
*all team stats through 10/28
See All Women’s Soccer Postseason Capsules
