Led by Hermann Trophy candidate Lorraine Quinn, No. 16 Duke opens its season Sunday against Coastal Carolina at 5 p.m. in Koskinen Stadium.
The Blue Devils overcame a 3-3-4 ACC record last season and advanced to the College Cup quarterfinals, where they missed the Final Four by just one goal when they lost to Notre Dame 3-2.
This year, Duke returns nine starters, including Quinn, a senior, and leading scorer Elisabeth Redmond, a junior. All six of Duke's top defenders are back, even though head coach Robbie Church's squad lost four-year starting goalkeeper Allison Lipsher to graduation. Senior Cassidy Powers and freshmen Emily Nahas and Sonja Sahlsten will battle for the right to replace Lipsher.
Quinn notched four goals and three assists from the midfield last season. She helped the U.S. U-23 Women's National Team claim the Nordic Cup in July.
Seniors Kelly Hathorn and Kelly McCann were voted team captains by their teammates in April. Hathorn scored five goals and added six assists in 2007, while McCann helped bolster the defensive line.
The Blue Devils won their only exhibition match of the preseason, a 1-0 victory over UNC-Greensboro behind a goal from Quinn Aug. 16.
-from staff reports
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