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A Head Start on Becoming a Blue Devil
6/17/2024 9:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM -- For Mary Long, taking her game to the next stage can't come soon enough. The midfielder is preparing to join the Duke women's soccer team this fall - a year earlier than expected - by practicing at the highest level.
The Kansas native excels on the field, as the 37th ranked recruit and the 14th-ranked midfielder in her class. This past summer after her sophomore season, Long quickly made the choice to become a Blue Devil.
"I just saw campus and instantly fell in love," said Long. "I always knew it was going to be one of my top choices, but after going to two camps I knew it was where I wanted to go. I committed after just two weeks of recruiting."
Soon after that, Long made another huge decision. In November - just months after committing - Long chose to reclassify to come to Duke even sooner and join the class of 2024.
"I went on my official visit in October and was able to experience campus and see the team practice and play," said Long. "As soon as I got back home, I just kept thinking that I could be there sooner. Two years felt like a really long time and I felt like I was ready to come a lot sooner."
Long's parents and the Duke coaching staff were both supportive of her decision. After getting her reclassification approved by her high school, Shawnee Mission East, and enrolling in her senior year classes, Long was officially Duke bound.
"Mary is one of the top players in the class of 2024," said Duke head coach Robbie Church. "She is a very versatile player that can play as a No. 8 or No. 10 in the midfield and as a No. 9 up front. She can play with both feet and has the ability to score big-time goals. We are excited to have her in our soccer family."
To prepare for playing at the college level a year early, Long has gotten a head start by practicing with her local NWSL team: the Kansas City Current.
"I went with the Current to preseason last year and kept training with them throughout the spring," said Long. "I did preseason with them again, and just have been training with them ever since."
Moving from playing at the high school level to practicing alongside professional players has been a big adjustment, but Long is taking it all in stride and learning a lot from the experience.
"The speed of play was such an increase from anything I'd ever experienced," said Long. "I'm able to keep up and contribute and play well now, but they are all older, faster and stronger. It's made my decision-making a lot quicker. Playing with people that are that good just has made me that much better."
Beyond just adjusting to a faster speed of play, Long has also been able to see how pros practice, take care of their bodies, and compete.
"Everything that they do is so professional," said Long. "The way they sleep, the way they eat, the way they warm up. They're all trying to not get injured and have the longest careers possible, while still performing really well on the field. They are all great examples of what it means to be really successful at their sport."
One of those professionals is Duke's own Michelle Cooper. Cooper competed for the Blue Devils for both the 2021 and the 2022 seasons before entering the NWSL Draft and joining the Current as the second overall pick. During her time at Duke, Cooper set the record for both most goals (31) and points (78) scored and was the 2022 winner of the MAC Hermann Trophy.
"Duke is what Michelle and I talk about the most," said Long. "It's awesome to play with her, she's a very talented player. She is one of the most fun people I've ever met and right after I committed, she congratulated me."
Learning from Cooper and the rest of the Current has put Long in a great position to take on college competition in the fall.
"I think it'll be helpful to have experienced such a high level and fast speed of play," said Long. "Once I get to Duke, I think I'll be prepared for the college level speed of play. People always say there is a big jump between club and college. I think having this experience training with the Current will help me to make that transition. I feel like I'm getting better every day."
Long will join the Duke women's soccer program, after graduating from high school this summer.
Watch Long and the rest of the Blue Devils this fall. Long will experience Koskinen Stadium as a part of the team for the first time at their exhibition opener on August 5 against Furman.
#GoDuke
The Kansas native excels on the field, as the 37th ranked recruit and the 14th-ranked midfielder in her class. This past summer after her sophomore season, Long quickly made the choice to become a Blue Devil.
"I just saw campus and instantly fell in love," said Long. "I always knew it was going to be one of my top choices, but after going to two camps I knew it was where I wanted to go. I committed after just two weeks of recruiting."
Soon after that, Long made another huge decision. In November - just months after committing - Long chose to reclassify to come to Duke even sooner and join the class of 2024.
"I went on my official visit in October and was able to experience campus and see the team practice and play," said Long. "As soon as I got back home, I just kept thinking that I could be there sooner. Two years felt like a really long time and I felt like I was ready to come a lot sooner."
Long's parents and the Duke coaching staff were both supportive of her decision. After getting her reclassification approved by her high school, Shawnee Mission East, and enrolling in her senior year classes, Long was officially Duke bound.
"Mary is one of the top players in the class of 2024," said Duke head coach Robbie Church. "She is a very versatile player that can play as a No. 8 or No. 10 in the midfield and as a No. 9 up front. She can play with both feet and has the ability to score big-time goals. We are excited to have her in our soccer family."
To prepare for playing at the college level a year early, Long has gotten a head start by practicing with her local NWSL team: the Kansas City Current.
"I went with the Current to preseason last year and kept training with them throughout the spring," said Long. "I did preseason with them again, and just have been training with them ever since."
Moving from playing at the high school level to practicing alongside professional players has been a big adjustment, but Long is taking it all in stride and learning a lot from the experience.
"The speed of play was such an increase from anything I'd ever experienced," said Long. "I'm able to keep up and contribute and play well now, but they are all older, faster and stronger. It's made my decision-making a lot quicker. Playing with people that are that good just has made me that much better."
Beyond just adjusting to a faster speed of play, Long has also been able to see how pros practice, take care of their bodies, and compete.
"Everything that they do is so professional," said Long. "The way they sleep, the way they eat, the way they warm up. They're all trying to not get injured and have the longest careers possible, while still performing really well on the field. They are all great examples of what it means to be really successful at their sport."
One of those professionals is Duke's own Michelle Cooper. Cooper competed for the Blue Devils for both the 2021 and the 2022 seasons before entering the NWSL Draft and joining the Current as the second overall pick. During her time at Duke, Cooper set the record for both most goals (31) and points (78) scored and was the 2022 winner of the MAC Hermann Trophy.
"Duke is what Michelle and I talk about the most," said Long. "It's awesome to play with her, she's a very talented player. She is one of the most fun people I've ever met and right after I committed, she congratulated me."
Learning from Cooper and the rest of the Current has put Long in a great position to take on college competition in the fall.
"I think it'll be helpful to have experienced such a high level and fast speed of play," said Long. "Once I get to Duke, I think I'll be prepared for the college level speed of play. People always say there is a big jump between club and college. I think having this experience training with the Current will help me to make that transition. I feel like I'm getting better every day."
Long will join the Duke women's soccer program, after graduating from high school this summer.
Watch Long and the rest of the Blue Devils this fall. Long will experience Koskinen Stadium as a part of the team for the first time at their exhibition opener on August 5 against Furman.
#GoDuke
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