Coming off a 15-win season in 2008 that included 14 defensive shutouts, expectations were high for this year’s Blue Devil squad. But with seniors departing from last year’s NCAA quarterfinal team and the loss of experienced defenders to injury, Duke has been forced to rely on a slew of freshmen in defense for the 2009 campaign.
The new corps of freshmen have battled admirably thus far, holding four ACC opponents scoreless through six conference games. Above all, their ability to adapt to new situations has driven the Blue Devils’ success.
The Duke defense suffered injury woes early in the season, losing senior captain Sara Murphy, highly regarded freshman Kim DeCesare and sophomore standout Ashley Rape, who garnered all-ACC accolades last year. The loss of these players—all projected to start for Duke—considerably thinned the squad, meaning untested players were counted on to play big minutes right away.
“We had three players who we thought would play big roles gone before our first preseason practice,” head coach Robbie Church said. “We had to ask our freshmen to step into some big roles.”
Duke currently starts five freshmen: goalkeeper Tara Campbell, central midfielder Nicole Lipp and defenders Maddy Haller, Libby Jandl and Erin Koballa.
“They basically had to grow up overnight,” junior center back Gretchen Miller said.
The Blue Devils have had to adjust their ranks even more due to a recent switch to a conventional 4-4-2 formation. With a lineup now featuring four midfielders, Lipp has moved to the center of the park, while Jandl has taken over the vacant spot at center back, where she has flourished.
Jandl, a Kansas native who didn’t figure into Church’s plans entering the season, now plays a major role alongside Miller at the heart of the defense.
“She kept getting better and better and better in practice, so we decided to give her a starting role. And since she’s been starting, we haven’t allowed a goal,” Church said.
Jandl is the only freshman defender with any defensive experience; the rest have converted from attacking roles.
Koballa tallied 30 goals and 15 assists as a senior in New Hanover, just outside of Wilmington, N.C.
“Erin was the only one we thought would play back there as a right back. She’s a real combination player,” Church said.
Haller scored 41 goals as a senior in high school, but now patrols the opposite side of the field as a left back.
“It hasn’t been that hard to switch positions if you have the right mentality, and Gretchen has really helped out,” Haller said.
The defense has been anchored by the stellar goalkeeping play of Campbell, who is second in the ACC with 62 saves. Campbell, who had a standout club career in Ohio, is fast becoming one of the premier keepers in the league.
Church credits much of the the back line’s success to the defensive knowledge of assistant coach Carla Overbeck. Overbeck, winner of a Women’s World Cup and former captain of the U.S. Women’s National Team, has a close relationship with the young Blue Devils.
“Her time has been invaluable, just showing them the little subtle things that happen in the game,” Church said.
The freshmen also look to Miller for guidance during games, and the junior has emerged as a willing captain of the Duke defense.
“Going into every game, I know that not only do I need to perform, but I have to make sure I’m sending them the right messages and helping them as much as I can,” Miller said.
Duke has had its best defensive performances against ACC opposition. Excluding a loss to Maryland, in which a tired Blue Devil team played less than three days after blanking then-No. 9 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, the freshmen have been exemplary. Duke has forced three ranked conference opponents into overtime and has posted shutouts in its last three ACC games. According to Church, the rookies are just getting started.
“I think they all can be outstanding in the future,” Church said.
The young Blue Devils look to continue their strong play on the back line when Duke (6-5-4, 2-2-2 in the ACC) faces Virginia (6-5-3, 1-4-1) tonight at 7 p.m. at Koskinen Stadium.
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