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Cooper Goes No. 2 Overall; Trio of Blue Devils Selected in NWSL Draft
1/12/2023 10:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Highlighted by Michelle Cooper going No. 2, a trio of Blue Devils were selected in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Draft on Thursday evening at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Selected by the Kansas City Current with the second overall pick, Cooper became the highest Duke women's soccer player taken in a professional draft. Then in the fourth round, Delaney Graham was picked by the Washington Spirit followed by Sophie Jones by the Chicago Red Stars. It marked the third time Duke has featured three or more student-athletes selected in the NWSL Draft (2022, 2018, 2014). Â
Cooper is the fifth Duke standout taken in the first round in school history, all which have come in the last seven years. Â
"Obviously, we are very excited for Michelle," said Duke head coach Robbie Church. "She was one of the hardest working players we've had in our program -- both in possession and out of possession. We are excited for her to have this opportunity to step out and challenge herself at the next level. We all know Michelle is going to have a fantastic pro career. What is different about Michelle than a lot of other players is her mentality is just so strong, and I think it will carry on and serve her well the next level."
Recently named the Hermann Trophy Award winner, Cooper is coming off the best overall season in NCAA Division I soccer in 2022 with 49 points, 19 goals and 11 assists. The two-time United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-American was the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 in all three categories. In the NCAA stats, Cooper ranked No. 2 in points (49), tied for second in goals (19) and tied for ninth in assists (11). A native of Clarkston, Mich., Cooper accumulated 31 goals, 16 assists and 78 points in 40 matches in two years with the Blue Devils. Â
Graham was tabbed by the Washington Spirit with the fourth pick in the fourth round and was the 40th overall selection. Â
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Graham closed her Duke career appearing in 105 career matches, while making a school-record 103 starts over the last five seasons. She netted four goals and 19 assists for 27 points, while helping lead the Blue Devils to 52 shutouts on the defensive end. Graham appeared in a school-record 8,767 minutes, was a three-time All-ACC selection and a four-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree. Â
"Delaney came to Duke five years ago as an underrated player and has proven she is one of the top defenders in the nation," said Church. "Her calling card is her competitiveness, her ability to run all day and her ability to compete for 90 minutes. Nobody is ever going to out-compete Delaney. That has carried and served her well at the collegiate level. She has been a standout for us since the first day she stepped on campus. Delaney has the skill to be successful as she moves onto the next level."
The Red Stars grabbed Jones with the seventh pick in the fourth round and the 43rd overall selection. Â
One of the top midfielders in the nation, Jones started all 23 matches this past season. The Menlo Park, Calif., native notched two goals and three assists for seven points, while directing the Duke midfield. Jones started all 75 matches she played in over her Duke career, while registering eight assists, five goals and 18 points. She was a 2022 and 2020-21 United Soccer Coaches All-American and a three-time All-ACC selection. Â
"We are very excited for Sophie," said Church. "We appreciate everything she has done for our program over the last four years. Sophie has been a great player in our program, but I think she is ready to step out and have a new challenge. We know she has the ability as she is one of the best players in the country. That will serve her well as she moves into the pro ranks and we look forward to the following Sophie's career. We know it's going to be a very, very successful one."
The Blue Devils have now featured 20 Duke women's soccer student-athletes drafted in the NWSL, including 17 under Church. Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
#GoDuke
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Selected by the Kansas City Current with the second overall pick, Cooper became the highest Duke women's soccer player taken in a professional draft. Then in the fourth round, Delaney Graham was picked by the Washington Spirit followed by Sophie Jones by the Chicago Red Stars. It marked the third time Duke has featured three or more student-athletes selected in the NWSL Draft (2022, 2018, 2014). Â
Cooper is the fifth Duke standout taken in the first round in school history, all which have come in the last seven years. Â
"Obviously, we are very excited for Michelle," said Duke head coach Robbie Church. "She was one of the hardest working players we've had in our program -- both in possession and out of possession. We are excited for her to have this opportunity to step out and challenge herself at the next level. We all know Michelle is going to have a fantastic pro career. What is different about Michelle than a lot of other players is her mentality is just so strong, and I think it will carry on and serve her well the next level."
Recently named the Hermann Trophy Award winner, Cooper is coming off the best overall season in NCAA Division I soccer in 2022 with 49 points, 19 goals and 11 assists. The two-time United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-American was the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 in all three categories. In the NCAA stats, Cooper ranked No. 2 in points (49), tied for second in goals (19) and tied for ninth in assists (11). A native of Clarkston, Mich., Cooper accumulated 31 goals, 16 assists and 78 points in 40 matches in two years with the Blue Devils. Â
Graham was tabbed by the Washington Spirit with the fourth pick in the fourth round and was the 40th overall selection. Â
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Graham closed her Duke career appearing in 105 career matches, while making a school-record 103 starts over the last five seasons. She netted four goals and 19 assists for 27 points, while helping lead the Blue Devils to 52 shutouts on the defensive end. Graham appeared in a school-record 8,767 minutes, was a three-time All-ACC selection and a four-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree. Â
"Delaney came to Duke five years ago as an underrated player and has proven she is one of the top defenders in the nation," said Church. "Her calling card is her competitiveness, her ability to run all day and her ability to compete for 90 minutes. Nobody is ever going to out-compete Delaney. That has carried and served her well at the collegiate level. She has been a standout for us since the first day she stepped on campus. Delaney has the skill to be successful as she moves onto the next level."
The Red Stars grabbed Jones with the seventh pick in the fourth round and the 43rd overall selection. Â
One of the top midfielders in the nation, Jones started all 23 matches this past season. The Menlo Park, Calif., native notched two goals and three assists for seven points, while directing the Duke midfield. Jones started all 75 matches she played in over her Duke career, while registering eight assists, five goals and 18 points. She was a 2022 and 2020-21 United Soccer Coaches All-American and a three-time All-ACC selection. Â
"We are very excited for Sophie," said Church. "We appreciate everything she has done for our program over the last four years. Sophie has been a great player in our program, but I think she is ready to step out and have a new challenge. We know she has the ability as she is one of the best players in the country. That will serve her well as she moves into the pro ranks and we look forward to the following Sophie's career. We know it's going to be a very, very successful one."
The Blue Devils have now featured 20 Duke women's soccer student-athletes drafted in the NWSL, including 17 under Church. Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
#GoDuke
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