WASHINGTON (November 14, 2024) – The Howard University women's soccer team is gearing up for a monumental matchup against No. 1 Duke University in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament Friday (Nov. 15) at 6:00 p.m. The highly anticipated game will take place at Duke's Koskinen Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.
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MATCHUP PREVIEW
HOWARD
The Bison (11-4-5 MEAC, 8-1-1 NEC) enter the NCAA Tournament as a formidable force, having recently claimed the 2024 NEC (Northeast Conference) Championship with a thrilling 3-2 victory over FDU.
Howard comes into this match riding high on momentum, led by a stellar cast of award-winning players:
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Rachel Suttle (Smyrna, Ga.) – NEC Defensive Player of the Year
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Samantha James (Herndon, Va.) – NEC Midfielder of the Year
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Trinity Knox (Atlanta, Ga.) – NEC Goalkeeper of the Year
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Gabriella Garcia-Terrell (Centreville, Va.) – NEC Rookie of the Year
In the title match, Knox was outstanding, recording five crucial saves while the team took 17 shots (eight on target). The Bison's defense was impenetrable and their attack was relentless. This marks HU's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since its 2018 campaign and poised to make a statement against the powerhouse Blue Devils.
Under the leadership of
Brent Leiba, the 2024 NEC Coach of the Year, Howard is motivated to build on its historic championship run and challenge the nation's top-ranked team.
DUKE
The Blue Devils (14-2-1, 9-0-1 ACC) enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed, boasting an impressive regular season record while dominating the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference). For the first time in Duke history, the women's soccer team received the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Blue Devils are one of the most successful programs in women's college soccer and their formidable roster is stacked with talent, including several All-American players and a top-ranked defense.
Led by head coach Robbie Church, Duke is a force to be reckoned with, having gone unbeaten at home this season. Duke's high-powered offense and suffocating defense will present a daunting challenge for Howard.
LAST TIMEOUT
Howard continued its historic season with a 2-1 victory over FDU Sunday (Nov. 10), capturing the program's first-ever NEC Tournament title.
The match was a back-and-forth battle, the Bison broke the deadlock with just three minutes remaining in the opening period when James (Herndon, Va.) outran the FDU goalkeeper in a footrace to score the game's first goal, with help from All-NEC Second Team seniors
Melea Earley (La Mirada, Calif.) and
Zoe Moore (Lutz, Fla.).
After the break, FDU quickly equalized with a long shot to the top right corner and tied the contest, 1-1. But Howard wasted no time responding—just 20 seconds later, senior
Kyra Bolden (McLean, Va.) charged toward the net and regained the lead for the Bison, 2-1.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
With a victory over Duke, Howard would secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament's next round and continue their historic run. This match marks a huge opportunity for the Bison to showcase their talent on the national stage and potentially upset the top-ranked Blue Devils.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
