Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus #25 Clemson on October 30, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Women's Soccer
vs #25 Clemson
Q&A With Senior Shelly Marshall
10/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Shelly Marshall is in her fourth year with the Blue Devil women's soccer team. A native of Arcadia, Calif., Marshall has started two of 14 matches this season and owns seven career goals and 11 assists. She sat down with GoDuke.com while on the trip to Clemson, S.C. to discuss the season.
GoDuke.com: Since losing to Boston College and Virginia, the team has won four straight league contests. What has been the key to Duke's success?
Shelly Marshall: We know in the ACC teams can upset any team anytime. I think there is more of a passion to win because we know that two losses could end up hurting us. We knew that losing any other games would mean going down the rankings even more and our main goal is to get a good seed in the NCAA Tournament. I think our passion to win has been pushing to win even harder.
GoDuke.com: Last week, the team had fall break where you had two days off of classes. How nice of a break was that?
Shelly Marshall: It was so amazing. It made us more excited about practices I think because it was what we had to look forward to during the day. It gave us more time to reflect and think about what we really wanted for the team. Since there was nobody else on campus it really brought us more together and our team chemistry became even stronger.
GoDuke.com: With the game at Clemson on Thursday. This is the lone team in the ACC that the seniors have not beaten over your four-year career. What does Duke need to do to be successful and pull out a victory?
Shelly Marshall: We need to keep playing the way we have been playing. I am pretty confident that if we keep pushing the way we have then we will be successful.
GoDuke.com: Do you like going on the road with the team and does it bring everyone closer?
Shelly Marshall: It brings everyone together because we are together all the times. Sometimes it is a little bit uncomfortable because we are out of our comfort zone. The fact that during the preseason we came in a week early and the team unity became stronger at that time. It has been a lot easier this year for us to be on the road because we are used to being with each other a little bit more. So it makes us play a little bit better.
GoDuke.com: Being a senior this year. Have you tried to take more of a leadership role?
Shelly Marshall: Yea, I think all of the seniors have because we know how important this is. We are the first group that Robbie [Church] recruited when he first came in. We know how important this year is to everyone of us. I think every senior at one point or another; whether or not they are a captain has taken on a leadership role.
GoDuke.com: The last couple of years you have come off the bench and provided a big spark and instant offense. When you come in with fresh legs what do you try to do?
Shelly Marshall: When I come off the bench, I try to keep the level of play the way it was or even higher if we need a boost. That is something that a lot of teams don't expect that when some of us come off the bench we can keep the quality of play at a high standard. Try to keep the momentum going and try not to let the level of play drop.
GoDuke.com: Over the last four years, how much have you enjoyed playing for the Duke women's soccer team and see the program rise to the level it is now?
Shelly Marshall: I think the team we have right now; I have never loved a team as much as I have now in my entire life. It has been an amazing experience. Although I am sad that this is my last year, I am happy this is the team I am doing it with. I think we have the potential to be the best team we have had since I arrived at Duke.
GoDuke.com: After graduation, are you planning on going back to California?
Shelly Marshall: I definitely want to go back to Los Angeles and be with my family. I haven't really started looking into anything yet. That is my plan...go home and have some fun.
Players Mentioned
M
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