During the fall season, The Chronicle is polling its readers every week via its Sportswrap newsletter to highlight one Blue Devil athlete’s outstanding performance. This week’s spotlight goes to Hannah Bebar of Duke women's soccer:
Robbie Church’s team has accomplished the unthinkable this season as it prepares for the ACC championship. At the forefront of Church’s operation, Hannah Bebar led the Blue Devils to a strong finish in their last game of the season.
The faceoff was against the Tar Heels.
After four missed shots, Hannah Bebar took a bold chance. She drove the ball into the net with a left-footed attempt from 29 yards out. Bebar's goal placed Duke in the lead by a score of 1-0.
The determined midfielder's work did not stop after her goal. Driven to provide her team with a win in the last regular-season game, Bebar stepped up to break the scoring drought that followed her goal. An opportunity from the penalty spot appeared after a handball by North Carolina, where Bebar shot the ball to the left of the keeper. The goal put Duke up 2-0, acting as a confidence booster and a representation of the powerhouse the women’s soccer team has become.
Bebar stepped foot on Tarheel turf with only one previous goal this season and made history. The midfielder became one of five Blue Devils to score two goals in a match against North Carolina, earning her an All-ACC Second Team award.
The Harvard transfer chose to spend her last year of eligibility in Duke blue. Before joining the Blue Devils, Babar's first collegiate season was canceled due to the pandemic. Nonetheless, the midfielder continued to hone in on improving her skills and led an impressive career for the Crimson in following years. With 17 goals, 25 assists and 59 goals, Bebar was ranked fifth nationally in assists per game (.67). In her last year in Cambridge, Ma., Bebar led her team to a season record of 13-4-2 overall. Harvard was also named champion of the inaugural Ivy League women’s soccer tournament, beating both Princeton and Columbia.
Bebar brought her skills to North Carolina, where she was part of an explosive change. Last year the Blue Devils ended their season with an overall record of 6-7-3. This year, women’s soccer ended the season 14-1-1 thanks to the contributions of four new transfer players: Hannah Bebar, Ella Hase, Mia Oliaro and Farrah Walters. Bebar’s footwork as a midfielder allowed her team to succeed under pressure and form great scoring opportunities.
The Blue Devil was able to end her last regular season game with a win, mirroring head coach Robbie Church, who is also in his last season with Duke. Bebar’s flexibility as a midfielder will prove to be vital in Duke’s success in the ACC tournament and beyond.
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