On Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, Central Bucks East senior Elise Duffy was recognized for committing to continue her soccer career at Drexel University.
Elise Duffy – Drexel University (Soccer)
Major: Nursing
Final list of colleges: Drexel, West Chester, Pitt, NJIT
Reasons for choosing Drexel: “I just really liked their coaches and their players whenever I talked to them, and the campus has a great mix of city and suburban. They offered me both nursing and playing soccer, and that’s all I could dream of doing. Their co-op program is amazing. It’s everything I could want in a college.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I actually grew up saying – ‘I’m not going to play any sports in college.’ About sophomore year, I was like, ‘Maybe.’ Junior year I was like, ‘I definitely want to continue this.’ COVID made me realize – I don’t think I could not do this and be just a regular student with all the free time.”
Soccer coach Jake Nesteruk says: “Elise is as close to complete target forward as I’ve ever seen or coached. She is clearly a very gifted athlete but saying that doesn’t capture the amount of work she’s put into her fitness and her craft. She matches her athleticism with an incredible sense of how to move off the ball to get in behind backlines against good backlines She so good with her back to goal - such a knack for holding the ball up and turn defenders.
“On the defensive side, she forces so many mistakes with how she presses the ball. Never tired, never gives up. Whether it was the days when we were rebuilding and down a handful of goals or this past year when we up by as many, Elise just never quits hunting the ball. This year, her success led to so much of ours. She owned a full confidence to take girls on and shoot whenever she had an angle or space. Two games against Neshaminy, one in the regular season and one in playoffs, where she scored the most unbelievable goals.
“As a leader, she finds such a great balance to the job. She always leads by example but manages to find the right words in the right moments when you need student-athlete leadership the most on the field and off it. I’ve said it before, but it’s tough to think of a student-athlete today that lives up to the very best of East athletes. She refuses to be outworked in the moments of the biggest importance. She has grown to live up to and exceed every expectation we had, her club coaches, and others had for her. I have no doubt she will do the same at Drexel.”
Basketball coach Liz Potash says: “Elise is the nicest kid in the world. She’s so welcoming to everyone that comes along. She’s an unbelievable athlete, and she’s incredibly humble. She’ll do whatever role you ask her to do. As much as obviously soccer is her top sport, she makes a commitment to basketball year round. She’s just a great kid from a great family. Elise Duffy will be a huge loss for us next year.”
About Elise:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite artist: Taylor Swift
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