Growing up just outside of Chicago in the 1990s, senior KayAnne Gummersall had all too many chances to witness sporting heroics. While Michael Jordan was busy winning six NBA championships, Gummersall was learning how to become a clutch athlete.
“I think the way he would step up in the big games and the playoffs was incredible,” said Gummersall of Jordan, and though the Duke striker prefers the pitch to the hardwood, the pair do have one attribute in common. Both have the ability to light up the scoreboard, especially when the game is on the line.
Gummersall accumulated an astonishing 136-goal tally over her high school career while leading New Trier High to a four year aggregate record of 115-3-2, including 3 state championships. It was clear, even at a young age, that Gummersall had a knack for finding the goal when the situation called for it.
Duke head coach Robbie Church didn’t have to spend month after month searching showcases for a new striker leading up to the 2006 season; the talent found him.
“When I was recruiting KayAnne, sometimes I’d be at the field for a half, sometimes for 30 minutes, and every time I’d be there, she’d score goals,” he said.
The forward made the transition to the college level admirably, leading the Blue Devils in goals during her freshman season. An ankle injury kept Gummersall from playing at full strength during the 2007 season, and reconstructive ligament surgery left her playing future in doubt.
“I had no idea what my junior year would be like after almost a year off the field,” she said. “I just came into it thinking I had nothing to lose, and there were no excuses.”
All doubt was erased in her first game back against Coastal Carolina in 2008, as Gummersall scored twice in just 25 minutes and Duke cruised to a 9-0 victory.
Gummersall and Elisabeth Redmond went on to combine for a Duke record 27 goals between them, and the Blue Devils reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament for the second year in a row. Gummersall led the team yet again with 15 goals of her own, including five against ACC opponents and four in postseason play.
Her tendency to show up in big games hasn’t gone unnoticed by her teammates, espeically her roommate and co-captain, Jane Alukonis.
“Other players in the conference may have similar goal numbers, but you have to look at who KayAnne scores against to really see how great she is,” Alukonis said.
Over 58 percent of Gummersall’s career goals have been scored either against conference opponents or in the NCAA tournament. When the going gets tough, Alukonis said she and the rest of the Blue Devils know Gummersall has the ability to carry the team if she needs to.
Along with fellow seniors Redmond, Alukonis and Sara Murphy, Gummersall was named a captain for the 2009 season. To Church, the head coach, the decision was natural.
“She’s one of the hardest-working players in games and in training, and she’s a great role model to our younger players both on and off the field,” Church said.
In addition to leading the women’s soccer squad, Gummersall is the co-chair of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, which acts as the voice of Duke student-athletes to the ACC and NCAA.
The senior has plenty of options once the final whistle blows on her college career, and hasn’t made a decision as to what comes after graduation. A Political Science/Sociology double major, Gummersall is interested in the Fuqua business school’s new Master of Management Studies program, but will also consider a professional career if she is given the chance to prove herself at the Women’s Professional Soccer League draft combine.
“I’m keeping my options open. I really have no idea what the future holds,” Gummersall said.
Church knows hard work and preparation determine the immediate future, and as the Blue Devils draw closer to the conference opener against North Carolina in Chapel Hill Sept. 24, Church is confident his senior striker will shine.
“In ACC play, you’re going to see KayAnne continue to score goals because she’s at her best against the top competition, and that’s how you grade the great players.”
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