‘It Just Means More’ - Elle Piper’s Motivation to Succeed at Duke

A product of Roswell, Ga., Riley Jackson recently finished her second season with the North Carolina Courage. Once a Duke women's soccer commit, Jackson signed with the Courage during high school as a 17-year-old. Jackson is a former No. 1 ranked recruit nationally and was the 2021-22 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Jackson will be a contributing writer during the 2025 season for the Blue Devils telling stories of the Duke women's soccer program.

DURHAM, N.C.-- Redshirt Junior Elle Piper has been impressive on the backline for Duke this year. After missing all but one game last season due to injury, Piper has demonstrated outstanding resilience in her return to the pitch. Starting all but one match this season, she is grateful for the opportunity to play, impact the team's success and feel like herself again on the field.

"This season just means more," said Piper. "As the season progresses, I am getting back to feeling like myself and being happy again and that means everything to me. Being around such great teammates who stood by me throughout the injury process and make me better every day has been so amazing. It's my senior year, and our class's last time together, so I think it is just a really special season."

Piper's perspective during her recovery process is inspiring to hear. Never shying away from a challenge, Piper made the decision to push herself academically and to embrace her role on the team no matter the circumstances. Piper was also supported in her recovery and endeavors on the sideline by teammate Lauren Martinho (Tino) who was also rehabbing an injury at the time.

"The big thing for me was understanding how to step into a role where I can impact the game from the sideline. I tried to do my best to help the team last year when I was not physically able to play," said Piper. "And luckily enough I had Tino by my side who was amazing. We created such a strong friendship and bonded while getting to share our love for the game on the sideline together and just talk all day about it. So that was so helpful."

Taking on a heavy course load during her time away from the pitch provided Piper the opportunity to graduate from Duke in only three years and start graduate school this year. Piper, now enrolled at the Fuqua Business School, is pursuing her master's degree.

"When I got hurt I decided to take an overload, so I was in six classes last spring. Although I was not able to play I found another way that I could challenge myself," said Piper. "Academics have always been a really big part of my journey coming to Duke. To take on the challenge of graduating in three years was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I guess you could say that it is a positive that came out of being hurt that I would not have been able to do if I was playing at the time."
Elle Piper

The collaborative aspect of the Fuqua program has been one of Piper's favorite educational experiences at Duke. The opportunity for new challenges and getting to meet people from unique parts of the world has been especially rewarding for Piper. Her reflections on the experience offer valuable insight for anyone considering joining the program.

"I love the Fuqua program that I'm in," said Piper. "I have made a lot of connections that I maybe would not have made in undergrad. You meet a lot of different people and people from different countries. It challenges me and is very collaborative. I really enjoy the Team Fuqua part of the program and everything that it comes with."

Collaboration and challenge are also themes that accompany Piper's role on the Duke soccer team this season. Playing amongst several freshmen on the backline, Piper has sought to lead by example and be a role model for the youth of the team.
Devin Lynch, Elle Piper, Mia Minestrella

Devin Lynch, Elle Piper, Mia Minestrella

"Both on and off the ball, I try to be a mentor to our freshmen and help them integrate easier," said Piper. "I know sometimes it's hard to immediately adjust to the level of play your freshmen year, so I am always just trying to be there for them and most importantly lead by my actions on the field."
Piper's intelligence coupled with her athleticism is part of what makes her such a special soccer player. Her ability to read the game in both attack and defense is one of her most notable qualities.

"Elle is so cerebral, really smart, understands the game and is really athletic," said Duke head coach Kieran Hall. "Short in stature, but she has a big presence, really powerful and phenomenal with the ball, too. Elle has got a bright future ahead and I think she is just going to get better and better."

On the season, Piper has started 17 of 18 matches played and helped the Blue Devils to 10 shutouts. In the ACC Tournament, she contributed two assists in matches against Louisville and Notre Dame. Overall, she has logged 1,259 minutes on the year and played the entire 90 minutes in four out of the last five contests.

Piper expressed excitement about participating in postseason play this year. Emphasizing the rapid growth of the group, she explained she feels the team is a totally different squad than they were in September, peaking at the right time as they seek to progress in the NCAA Tournament.

"This postseason I feel like we have really gotten into a groove. I am really excited to see where we go. It feels like we are a completely different group than we were back in September," said Piper. "I know we had a great season last year, but being able to be a part of it on the field this season means a lot. I just can't wait and want to keep going for as long as possible."

Watch Piper and the Blue Devils take on third-seeded Kansas in the NCAA Tournament round of 16 Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m., at home in Durham.

To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".

#GoDuke