Okay, now you can call her the greatest Duke women’s soccer player of all time.
Michelle Cooper was named the 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy winner Friday evening, becoming the first Blue Devil to win in the women’s soccer program’s 35-year history. The sophomore striker also became the first Duke player, women’s or men’s, to win since Andrew Wegner in 2011. She led the Power 5 and finished second nationally in both goals and points, despite missing some time to open the season.
All three of the Hermann Trophy finalists came from the ACC, with Notre Dame’s Korbin Albert and Florida State’s Jenna Nighswonger finishing as runners-up.
“When they announced my name, it was surreal,” said Cooper. “I didn't know how to feel. It's insane to think that I just have now won the same award as people I look up to like Mia Hamm, Crystal Dunn, Kristine Lilly. It's just surreal.”
Cooper’s trophy adds to a collection that includes a 2022 ACC Offensive Player of the Year award and back-to-back First Team All-America nods. She announced her intention to leave Duke and enter the professional ranks last month and recently declared for the NWSL draft. With Angel City FC having acquired the No. 1-overall pick specifically to draft high schooler Alyssa Thompson, and Thompson declaring for the draft earlier Friday, Cooper is likely headed to Gotham FC with the No. 2 pick.
“It was crazy,” Cooper said. “At first, my head dropped, because a deep breath of air let out. I was holding my breath for a while. And I was super nervous, but then to hear that felt great. It was amazing.”
Duke men’s soccer midfielder Peter Stroud was also in St. Louis Friday and finished as a runner-up for the men’s Hermann Trophy. Duke was the only school with a finalist in both categories.
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