Following the formation of a new collective bargaining agreement with the NWSL Players Association, the NWSL shifted from a traditional draft format to a free agency period prior to the season. Here is the list of all former Duke women’s soccer players to sign deals at the next level.
Mary Long, Kansas City Current
On Jan. 8, the Kansas City Current announced the signing of Duke freshman Mary Long. The Mission Hills, Kan., native has trained with the Current’s first team for the past two years.
“This is the moment I’ve dreamed of for as long as I can remember,” Long said. “The Current holds a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to represent my hometown as we pursue Championships.”
In her one season as a Blue Devil, Long saw minutes in 15 matches, tallying three goals and one assist in the team’s run to the College Cup. She will join former Duke forward Michelle Cooper, who was drafted by the club in 2023. Long also played in five matches for the United States women’s national team at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scoring one goal as the team secured the bronze medal.
Ella Hase, Racing Louisville FC
Fifth year wingback Ella Hase also inked a professional contract, a two-year deal with Racing Louisville FC.
“I’m extremely honored and excited to begin my professional career with Racing Louisville,” Hase said. “I’m thrilled to start the year off learning, training, growing and winning with the club. I can’t wait to get started.”
Hase transferred from Northwestern prior to the 2024 season. She started 21 matches as a Blue Devil, scoring three goals including the game winner against Nebraska. The Orland Park, Ill., native also tied for a team high 13 assists, good for third all-time at Duke, with four coming in the NCAA Tournament. Hase was selected for the All-ACC second team and the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament team. She will join the club for preseason training, which begins Jan. 20.
Maggie Graham, Houston Dash
After being named ACC Midfielder of the Year, first-team All-American and a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, fifth-year Blue Devil Maggie Graham signed a three-year contract with the Houston Dash Jan. 21.
“I am excited and grateful to begin my professional career with an organization like the Houston Dash that is committed to building a competitive team and culture that supports and develops its’ players,” Graham said. “I am excited to help the team succeed in any way I can. I want to thank my family and everyone in the Duke University family that helped prepare me for this opportunity.”
In her final season, the Atlanta native started all 22 matches, scoring 14 goals with five assists. Graham scored a hat trick against Stanford, the eighth such feat in Duke history. She also racked up five game-winning goals and scored four goals in the NCAA Tournament, good for third in the Blue Devil record books. Her 101 matches played are the third-highest mark in program history.
Hannah Bebar, Bay FC
Three-time All-American and 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist Hannah Bebar signed with Bay FC Feb. 7. The Naperville, Ill., native spent four years at Harvard, starting 45 of 47 matches and tallying 17 goals and 25 assists for the Crimson before transferring to Duke. Bebar started every match during her lone season in Durham, registering three goals and five assists before being selected to the All-ACC second team, NCAA College Cup All-Tournament team and All-American second team.
“We’re very excited to bring in a player of Hannah’s caliber to this club,” head coach Albertin Montoya said. “She has excelled at every stop along her playing career so far, and we’re thrilled to see what she can accomplish at Bay FC.”
Bebar signed to a three-year contract, her first on the professional level, and is set to join the team in the late spring after finishing a master’s degree from the Fuqua School of Business. In San Francisco, she will join fellow Blue Devil standout forward Tess Boade, who played at Duke from 2017-21.
This will be updated if more Duke players sign with NWSL teams.
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