Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at #5 Virginia on September 11, 2025 at 7 p.m.
/
7 p.m.
Women's Soccer
at #5 Virginia
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Freeman Heads Back Home, Signs Deal with Bay FC
7/19/2025 7:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C. — Former Duke women's soccer goalkeeper Leah Freeman has inked her first professional contract as she signed with Bay FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) this week.Â
Â
A product of Berkeley, Calif., Freeman heads home to the Bay Area as she penned a deal through the end of the 2025 season. She has been added to the club's roster and available for selection for Bay FC's upcoming Summer Series Friendlies July 19 and 27 as well as the club's return to NWSL play August 2.
Â
"I'm incredibly excited to sign with Bay FC and return to the Bay Area as I take this next step in my career," said Freeman. "It's an amazing opportunity to join a club that's building something special and I'm grateful to be part of it. I'm looking forward to learning from the experienced goalkeepers on the roster, growing every day and doing whatever I can to help the team succeed."
Â
One of the top goalkeepers nationally over the last four seasons in college, Freeman compiled 30 shutouts, 40 victories, 352 saves and a 1.03 goals-against average in 86 contests.Â
Â
She is coming off a season where she helped lead Duke to the NCAA College Cup and the ACC regular season title, while notching seven shutouts, 18 victories, 52 saves and a .78 goals-against average.Â
Freeman was rewarded with her efforts as she was named United Soccer Coaches All-America, ACC Goalkeeper of the Year, First Team All-ACC, College Sports Communicators Academic All-America and First Team All-Region.Â
Â
"We're excited to welcome Leah Freeman to Bay FC," said head coach Albertin Montoya. "She's a talented young goalkeeper with tremendous upside and we have full confidence in her ability to contribute to our team. With Leah joining our group, we feel really strong about the depth and competition we have in our goalkeeper unit moving forward."
Â
Freeman is now the fifth Blue Devil to sign a professional contract since the conclusion of the 2024 campaign – Maggie Graham (Houston Dash), Hannah Bebar (Bay FC), Ella Hase (Racing Louisville) and Mary Long (KC Current).Â
Â
With her signing with Bay FC, Freeman joins former Blue Devils Bebar and Tess Boade as teammates.Â
Â
Bay FC returns to action this weekend with the first of a pair of Summer Series Friendlies. In-state rival Angel City FC comes to the Bay Area July 19, followed by Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds July 27 at PayPal Park. NWSL action will resume Aug. 2 following the league's summer break.
Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
Â
#GoDuke
Â
Â
Â
A product of Berkeley, Calif., Freeman heads home to the Bay Area as she penned a deal through the end of the 2025 season. She has been added to the club's roster and available for selection for Bay FC's upcoming Summer Series Friendlies July 19 and 27 as well as the club's return to NWSL play August 2.
Â
"I'm incredibly excited to sign with Bay FC and return to the Bay Area as I take this next step in my career," said Freeman. "It's an amazing opportunity to join a club that's building something special and I'm grateful to be part of it. I'm looking forward to learning from the experienced goalkeepers on the roster, growing every day and doing whatever I can to help the team succeed."
Â
One of the top goalkeepers nationally over the last four seasons in college, Freeman compiled 30 shutouts, 40 victories, 352 saves and a 1.03 goals-against average in 86 contests.Â
Â
She is coming off a season where she helped lead Duke to the NCAA College Cup and the ACC regular season title, while notching seven shutouts, 18 victories, 52 saves and a .78 goals-against average.Â
Freeman was rewarded with her efforts as she was named United Soccer Coaches All-America, ACC Goalkeeper of the Year, First Team All-ACC, College Sports Communicators Academic All-America and First Team All-Region.Â
Â
"We're excited to welcome Leah Freeman to Bay FC," said head coach Albertin Montoya. "She's a talented young goalkeeper with tremendous upside and we have full confidence in her ability to contribute to our team. With Leah joining our group, we feel really strong about the depth and competition we have in our goalkeeper unit moving forward."
Â
Freeman is now the fifth Blue Devil to sign a professional contract since the conclusion of the 2024 campaign – Maggie Graham (Houston Dash), Hannah Bebar (Bay FC), Ella Hase (Racing Louisville) and Mary Long (KC Current).Â
Â
With her signing with Bay FC, Freeman joins former Blue Devils Bebar and Tess Boade as teammates.Â
Â
Bay FC returns to action this weekend with the first of a pair of Summer Series Friendlies. In-state rival Angel City FC comes to the Bay Area July 19, followed by Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds July 27 at PayPal Park. NWSL action will resume Aug. 2 following the league's summer break.
Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
Â
#GoDuke
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. Alabama
Sunday, September 07
Kat Rader Postgame Vs. VMI
Thursday, September 04
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. VMI
Thursday, September 04
Avery Oder Postgame Vs. Creighton
Sunday, August 31
