Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus Wake Forest on September 25, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Women's Soccer
vs Wake Forest
Photo by: Duke Athletics
A Special Homecoming: Freeman's Impactful Return to the Bay Area
10/16/2024 11:21:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.-- This past weekend's trip to the West Coast was about more than just adding a couple more wins to Duke women's soccer's record. For goalkeeper Leah Freeman, it was a meaningful homecoming.
Hailing from the Bay Area, Freeman had the special opportunity to play in front of friends and family, while also hosting her teammates in her hometown. With the Blue Devils clinching two crucial ACC victories, the trip was a success both on and off the field for Freeman.
Moving across the country in her senior year, Freeman knows that going home is a rare luxury. Since transferring to Duke from Oregon, she has had few chances to return, due to transfer credits and spending summers on campus.
"It's been tough, especially coming from Oregon. There, it was just a one-hour flight or a seven-hour drive -- something that seems long on the East Coast, but on the West Coast, it's nothing. Being away has been hard. I missed my sisters' graduations, their ACL tears, and them signing and going to college," Freeman explained. "It's been a lot, but it makes me appreciate the time I do get at home so much more than before. I cherish every moment. I got two weeks at home this summer, and it was the best two weeks I've had in a while. Even though this recent trip was just a week, and it wasn't about visiting home but about finishing business and completing our two games, the hour I had at my house was incredibly special because of how rare those moments are."
Her teammates quickly embraced the opportunity to explore her hometown, making the experience special for everyone.
Having them in her home and city was something Freeman deeply cherished, highlighting how much she felt the team truly understood the significance of the trip to her. Her family even had the opportunity to have the Blue Devil team and staff over to her house for dinner on Saturday evening, which was extra special.
"There was a little personal attachment to this one for me, just being able to come back to the Bay Area and perform in front of my family, friends, and those close to me made it special. Even with the team, it was memorable -- having them at my house and showing them around the city. We were driving around, pointing things out, and everyone jokes, saying, "Thanks for the bridge, Leah," and I'd respond, "You're welcome!" It was all those little moments that made this trip truly special," Freeman laughed when asked to reflect on this special trip.
Last season marked Freeman's first with the Blue Devils. After an injury-plagued year at Oregon, she entered the transfer portal where she was quickly recruited by Duke head coach Robbie Church. When she arrived in Durham, she had surgery and missed the entire spring and most of the preseason practice heading into the 2023 campaign.
Despite missing the preseason, Freeman fully committed herself to Duke soccer.
"The coaching staff was great, and everyone welcomed me in, trying to get me as involved as possible. However, it was challenging to balance being in a new environment, while also focusing on rehab. The team really had my back, but missing the preseason was tough. Spending that entire time in rehab was difficult, but the thought of being able to play in the end kept me motivated. Last season felt underwhelming for all of us, but having the spring and another preseason this year really helped me develop closer connections with the team. It allowed me to play alongside them in ways I wasn't able to do initially."
After having a full offseason and healthy summer, Freeman continues to solidify her name as one of the top keepers nationally. On the year, she has totaled a .54 goals-against average and three shutouts. Freeman has helped Duke to a total of six clean sheets and allowing only six goals in 12 matches. She was tabbed the ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 1 as well for her efforts.
Freeman not only had the chance to return home but register a pair of victories in goal against two of the top teams nationally – No. 7 Stanford and No. 17 California -- the win on Sunday in Berkeley moved her all-time record to 3-0 in her hometown against the Golden Bears.
"My family was there -- most of them live around the Bay Area. One of my cousins, who had a job interview out here, flew in from New York just to watch, and my best friend, who was my teammate at Oregon and is now at LMU, surprised me. She flew in right after practice and my other friend drove down nine hours from Oregon. It was one of those surreal moments that reminds you how much you love your people. People make the place, and even those who weren't originally from Berkeley were there. Seeing them all after the game made the experience even more incredible."
Freeman's performance in her hometown filled Church with immense pride, as he had recognized early on the significant impact her talent would bring to the goal.
"She is one of the best goalkeepers in the country. In these two games (Stanford and Califonia), she made big save after big save… (Califonia) did not have that many shots today, but every shot they had was a dangerous one and she came up with a really good shot. Her focus this weekend was fantastic."
Looking back at the week in California, Freeman totaled 11 saves over two matches, including saving a penalty kick at Stanford on Thursday. Her seven saves against the Cardinal matched a career high in a Blue Devil uniform. The Stanford win also snapped a 34-match home unbeaten streak at home for the Cardinal.
Although Freeman may be hundreds of miles away from her family, she believes that her team has truly earned the right to call itself a family.
"We're winning games because we're doing it together. You don't hear anyone yelling at each other on the field; the team culture is incredible. We genuinely want to work for one another and put everything on the line for each other. This is a team that loves each other, and it truly feels like a family. I think the term 'family' isn't just inherent to a team. Many teams like to claim they're a family, but family is something that's earned, and what we have right here is a real family."
Freeman and the No. 1 ranked Blue Devils (11-1-0, 6-0-0 ACC) will return home Saturday, Oct. 19 to host Boston College at 5 p.m.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
Hailing from the Bay Area, Freeman had the special opportunity to play in front of friends and family, while also hosting her teammates in her hometown. With the Blue Devils clinching two crucial ACC victories, the trip was a success both on and off the field for Freeman.
Moving across the country in her senior year, Freeman knows that going home is a rare luxury. Since transferring to Duke from Oregon, she has had few chances to return, due to transfer credits and spending summers on campus.
"It's been tough, especially coming from Oregon. There, it was just a one-hour flight or a seven-hour drive -- something that seems long on the East Coast, but on the West Coast, it's nothing. Being away has been hard. I missed my sisters' graduations, their ACL tears, and them signing and going to college," Freeman explained. "It's been a lot, but it makes me appreciate the time I do get at home so much more than before. I cherish every moment. I got two weeks at home this summer, and it was the best two weeks I've had in a while. Even though this recent trip was just a week, and it wasn't about visiting home but about finishing business and completing our two games, the hour I had at my house was incredibly special because of how rare those moments are."
Her teammates quickly embraced the opportunity to explore her hometown, making the experience special for everyone.
Having them in her home and city was something Freeman deeply cherished, highlighting how much she felt the team truly understood the significance of the trip to her. Her family even had the opportunity to have the Blue Devil team and staff over to her house for dinner on Saturday evening, which was extra special.
"There was a little personal attachment to this one for me, just being able to come back to the Bay Area and perform in front of my family, friends, and those close to me made it special. Even with the team, it was memorable -- having them at my house and showing them around the city. We were driving around, pointing things out, and everyone jokes, saying, "Thanks for the bridge, Leah," and I'd respond, "You're welcome!" It was all those little moments that made this trip truly special," Freeman laughed when asked to reflect on this special trip.
Last season marked Freeman's first with the Blue Devils. After an injury-plagued year at Oregon, she entered the transfer portal where she was quickly recruited by Duke head coach Robbie Church. When she arrived in Durham, she had surgery and missed the entire spring and most of the preseason practice heading into the 2023 campaign.
Despite missing the preseason, Freeman fully committed herself to Duke soccer.
"The coaching staff was great, and everyone welcomed me in, trying to get me as involved as possible. However, it was challenging to balance being in a new environment, while also focusing on rehab. The team really had my back, but missing the preseason was tough. Spending that entire time in rehab was difficult, but the thought of being able to play in the end kept me motivated. Last season felt underwhelming for all of us, but having the spring and another preseason this year really helped me develop closer connections with the team. It allowed me to play alongside them in ways I wasn't able to do initially."
After having a full offseason and healthy summer, Freeman continues to solidify her name as one of the top keepers nationally. On the year, she has totaled a .54 goals-against average and three shutouts. Freeman has helped Duke to a total of six clean sheets and allowing only six goals in 12 matches. She was tabbed the ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 1 as well for her efforts.
Freeman not only had the chance to return home but register a pair of victories in goal against two of the top teams nationally – No. 7 Stanford and No. 17 California -- the win on Sunday in Berkeley moved her all-time record to 3-0 in her hometown against the Golden Bears.
"My family was there -- most of them live around the Bay Area. One of my cousins, who had a job interview out here, flew in from New York just to watch, and my best friend, who was my teammate at Oregon and is now at LMU, surprised me. She flew in right after practice and my other friend drove down nine hours from Oregon. It was one of those surreal moments that reminds you how much you love your people. People make the place, and even those who weren't originally from Berkeley were there. Seeing them all after the game made the experience even more incredible."
Freeman's performance in her hometown filled Church with immense pride, as he had recognized early on the significant impact her talent would bring to the goal.
"She is one of the best goalkeepers in the country. In these two games (Stanford and Califonia), she made big save after big save… (Califonia) did not have that many shots today, but every shot they had was a dangerous one and she came up with a really good shot. Her focus this weekend was fantastic."
Looking back at the week in California, Freeman totaled 11 saves over two matches, including saving a penalty kick at Stanford on Thursday. Her seven saves against the Cardinal matched a career high in a Blue Devil uniform. The Stanford win also snapped a 34-match home unbeaten streak at home for the Cardinal.
Although Freeman may be hundreds of miles away from her family, she believes that her team has truly earned the right to call itself a family.
Leah's presence in goal has been ?? pic.twitter.com/9NmRfVw0st
— Duke Women's Soccer (@DukeWSOC) October 16, 2024
"We're winning games because we're doing it together. You don't hear anyone yelling at each other on the field; the team culture is incredible. We genuinely want to work for one another and put everything on the line for each other. This is a team that loves each other, and it truly feels like a family. I think the term 'family' isn't just inherent to a team. Many teams like to claim they're a family, but family is something that's earned, and what we have right here is a real family."
Freeman and the No. 1 ranked Blue Devils (11-1-0, 6-0-0 ACC) will return home Saturday, Oct. 19 to host Boston College at 5 p.m.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's SoccerKieran Hall Postgame Vs. Notre Dame
Friday, September 19
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. Miami
Monday, September 15
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. Virginia
Friday, September 12
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. Alabama
Sunday, September 07
