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Familiar Faces, Fast Start: Duke's Freshmen Thrive off U.S. National Team Connection
10/27/2025 5:40:00 PM | Women's Soccer
A product of Roswell, Ga., Riley Jackson is in 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.Â
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DURHAM, N.C.-- The 2025 Duke women's soccer team is full of fresh young talent. Transitioning from club soccer to Division I play, especially at a perennial powerhouse like Duke, can be challenging. However, defenders Joceyln Travers, Lexi Coughlin, Daya King, forward Avery Oder, and goalkeeper Molly Vapensky, all products of the U.S. youth national team system, have known and played alongside each other for years, and their longstanding connection has made the transition to college soccer much smoother.
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Competing together at an elite level before arriving at Duke allowed the group of freshmen to develop a 'sister-like' bond that is evident in both their connection on the pitch and their assimilation into the squad.
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"Coming here felt like a camp," said Coughlin.
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"I feel like they are my sisters," said Travers. "We fight and laugh like sisters. I would not feel as comfortable as I do if I had not known them for so long. It has helped the transition so much. We have known each other since we were 14. Having people you have known for a long time by your side made it so much easier to bond with the entire team"
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Whether it be traveling to new countries, rooming together, family tailgates, or even experiencing an earthquake in Guatemala, these five freshmen continue to make lasting memories that strengthen their bond on and off the pitch.
Â
"I have been roommates with several of these girls. Being in the same hotel room forces you to get to know each other quickly," said Vapensky. "Jocelyn and I bonded over a 7.0 earthquake that happened in Guatemala at our U17 CONCACAF pre-camp."
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The group have traveled to Japan, Netherlands, Germany, Mexico and Brazil, while also attending many national team camps. Looking back they have played at least nine matches together over the years as well, while also attending numerous camps.Â
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"Their relationships built through their national team experience massively helped their transition to Duke," said Duke head coach Kieran Hall. "When you arrive at any new setting, you're sort of looking for any sort of comfort or someone that can relate to what you're experiencing. And the fact that they're all going through this together, and they already know one another, I think it has been really helpful. I would imagine that's helped for them on the field, but more so off the field -- what they're doing on a day-to-day basis, around the dorms and with life on campus. Just to know that they are together and having these shared experiences at the same time, while still having a foundation of friendship that's existed for a few years - I think that's been really helpful. And it just helps them be more effective in everything they're doing and enjoy this experience more."
Â
The class' previous connection has provided them confidence in their abilities on the pitch at Duke. Already knowing each other's tendencies and strengths has allowed the young Blue Devils to play with freedom and focus on meeting and even exceeding standards of performance at the college level. With all of them seeing action and four of the five starting at least one match, the five have fielded 3,379 minutes combined so far this season. Together King, Travers, Coughlin, and Oder continue to be a lethal force tallying seven goals, eight assists and 22 points.Â
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The No. 3 overall class in the nation was very impressive in the season opener against 11th-ranked Penn State with four starting their first collegiate contest -- Coughlin, Oder, King and Travers.Â
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"It was nice having already played together and knowing each other's playing styles before coming in. It felt like we skipped the awkward stage of becoming friends and were able to start focusing on performing with the team right away," said Oder. "Because I have played with and against the girls, I know their strong feet, what their strengths are and how I can get the ball from them."
Â
While having many opportunities to represent the U.S together, the collective participation of Travers, King, Coughlin and Vapensky, in the 2024 U17 CONCACAF Championship in Mexico was one of the group's most memorable experiences. The pressure of participating in tournament style play helped prepare the young stars for the demands of college soccer.
Â
"Playing for the USYNT is a lot of pressure and there is a similar pressure in the college game. There are always eyes on you and the games are televised. In my experience with the youth national team, I have trained with some of the best girls in the country and played against some of the best girls in the world. That experience has given me the confidence to play at the collegiate stage," said Travers.
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At the 2024 CONCACAF Championship in Mexico, the Duke foursome helped the United States go undefeated and allowed only one goal en route to the championship. Back in 2022, Vapensky, King and Coughlin were a part of the 2022 CONCACAF Championship by the United States in Florida as well.Â
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Besides preparation for the pressure that accompanies playing in a high-performance environment. Their experience with the national team also primed them for the off-field expectations of college athletics.
Â
"U.S. camps prepared us for off-field aspects of college that club soccer could not prepare us for," said King. "Whether that was being on time for meetings, getting treatment or watching film -- national team emphasized these things"
Â
Attention to detail has been a key focus for the group during their transition, with an understanding that success at the college level often comes down to the smallest margins.
Â
"You have to give 100 percent all the time," said Travers. "You might not want to make a sprint, but you need to make that sprint. Here in college, you really have to dedicate yourself to the game because the margins matter so much more than it did in club soccer. The little details make such a difference."
Â
Having dedicated leaders on the squad to look up to has also been an important aspect of the success of the team's youth. Possessing valuable experience with the youth national teams and as staple along the backline at Duke, veteran center back Cameron Roller has been an exemplary role model for the young line of defense.
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"She has gone through a lot with the national team and is still involved in the system, so she knows what we know in that sense. Off the field she is such a good mentor to help us as defenders," said Travers.
Â
"Cameron Roller has been there to lead the backline," said Coughlin. "She has done a good job making sure that we are prepared for high intensity games."
Â
One of the appeals of playing soccer at Duke is the team's culture. The comradery of the group plays an important role in the squad's longstanding success, creating a positive environment for the newcomers and maintaining standards set in previous years.
Â
"Our culture is so good on our team and that's one of the main reasons I chose Duke," added Travers. "It shows on and off the field. I see it every day during practice or when we go to lunch together. It gives me reassurance about my choice to come here."
Â
"The culture at Duke is special, everyone is so driven, it is great to be around so many like-minded people. It's a great environment to get to be a part of," added Vapensky.
Â
Playing alongside familiar faces and understanding each other's strengths has given the group a clear advantage in their first season as collegiate athletes. Displaying maturity beyond their years, the young members of the Duke squad continue to make a meaningful impact as the 2025 season progresses.
Â
"It's exhilarating," said King. "Learning to live and operate in an environment we are not used to has been really fun. My confidence has grown a lot throughout the season, I am more comfortable distributing and communicating."
Â
"Coming in together gave us more confidence to be ourselves. We can have each other's backs because we know each other's tendencies," added Coughlin.
Â
With the collective goal of winning a championship, the rookie Blue Devils are focused on reaching their full potential and contributing to the team's success. As they gain experience and build confidence, the blend of developing youth and talented veterans on the Duke squad poses a formidable threat to their opponents.
Â
Duke will next take the pitch Thursday, Oct. 30 for senior day as the seventh-ranked Blue Devils host Clemson at 7 p.m. The match will be aired live on ACC Network Extra.Â
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To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
#GoDuke
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. Â
DURHAM, N.C.-- The 2025 Duke women's soccer team is full of fresh young talent. Transitioning from club soccer to Division I play, especially at a perennial powerhouse like Duke, can be challenging. However, defenders Joceyln Travers, Lexi Coughlin, Daya King, forward Avery Oder, and goalkeeper Molly Vapensky, all products of the U.S. youth national team system, have known and played alongside each other for years, and their longstanding connection has made the transition to college soccer much smoother.
Â
Competing together at an elite level before arriving at Duke allowed the group of freshmen to develop a 'sister-like' bond that is evident in both their connection on the pitch and their assimilation into the squad.
Â
"Coming here felt like a camp," said Coughlin.
Â
"I feel like they are my sisters," said Travers. "We fight and laugh like sisters. I would not feel as comfortable as I do if I had not known them for so long. It has helped the transition so much. We have known each other since we were 14. Having people you have known for a long time by your side made it so much easier to bond with the entire team"
Â
Whether it be traveling to new countries, rooming together, family tailgates, or even experiencing an earthquake in Guatemala, these five freshmen continue to make lasting memories that strengthen their bond on and off the pitch.
Â
"I have been roommates with several of these girls. Being in the same hotel room forces you to get to know each other quickly," said Vapensky. "Jocelyn and I bonded over a 7.0 earthquake that happened in Guatemala at our U17 CONCACAF pre-camp."
Â
The group have traveled to Japan, Netherlands, Germany, Mexico and Brazil, while also attending many national team camps. Looking back they have played at least nine matches together over the years as well, while also attending numerous camps.Â
Â
"Their relationships built through their national team experience massively helped their transition to Duke," said Duke head coach Kieran Hall. "When you arrive at any new setting, you're sort of looking for any sort of comfort or someone that can relate to what you're experiencing. And the fact that they're all going through this together, and they already know one another, I think it has been really helpful. I would imagine that's helped for them on the field, but more so off the field -- what they're doing on a day-to-day basis, around the dorms and with life on campus. Just to know that they are together and having these shared experiences at the same time, while still having a foundation of friendship that's existed for a few years - I think that's been really helpful. And it just helps them be more effective in everything they're doing and enjoy this experience more."
Â
The class' previous connection has provided them confidence in their abilities on the pitch at Duke. Already knowing each other's tendencies and strengths has allowed the young Blue Devils to play with freedom and focus on meeting and even exceeding standards of performance at the college level. With all of them seeing action and four of the five starting at least one match, the five have fielded 3,379 minutes combined so far this season. Together King, Travers, Coughlin, and Oder continue to be a lethal force tallying seven goals, eight assists and 22 points.Â
Â
The No. 3 overall class in the nation was very impressive in the season opener against 11th-ranked Penn State with four starting their first collegiate contest -- Coughlin, Oder, King and Travers.Â
Â
"It was nice having already played together and knowing each other's playing styles before coming in. It felt like we skipped the awkward stage of becoming friends and were able to start focusing on performing with the team right away," said Oder. "Because I have played with and against the girls, I know their strong feet, what their strengths are and how I can get the ball from them."
Â
While having many opportunities to represent the U.S together, the collective participation of Travers, King, Coughlin and Vapensky, in the 2024 U17 CONCACAF Championship in Mexico was one of the group's most memorable experiences. The pressure of participating in tournament style play helped prepare the young stars for the demands of college soccer.
Â
"Playing for the USYNT is a lot of pressure and there is a similar pressure in the college game. There are always eyes on you and the games are televised. In my experience with the youth national team, I have trained with some of the best girls in the country and played against some of the best girls in the world. That experience has given me the confidence to play at the collegiate stage," said Travers.
Â
At the 2024 CONCACAF Championship in Mexico, the Duke foursome helped the United States go undefeated and allowed only one goal en route to the championship. Back in 2022, Vapensky, King and Coughlin were a part of the 2022 CONCACAF Championship by the United States in Florida as well.Â
Â
Besides preparation for the pressure that accompanies playing in a high-performance environment. Their experience with the national team also primed them for the off-field expectations of college athletics.
Â
"U.S. camps prepared us for off-field aspects of college that club soccer could not prepare us for," said King. "Whether that was being on time for meetings, getting treatment or watching film -- national team emphasized these things"
Â
Attention to detail has been a key focus for the group during their transition, with an understanding that success at the college level often comes down to the smallest margins.
Â
"You have to give 100 percent all the time," said Travers. "You might not want to make a sprint, but you need to make that sprint. Here in college, you really have to dedicate yourself to the game because the margins matter so much more than it did in club soccer. The little details make such a difference."
Â
Having dedicated leaders on the squad to look up to has also been an important aspect of the success of the team's youth. Possessing valuable experience with the youth national teams and as staple along the backline at Duke, veteran center back Cameron Roller has been an exemplary role model for the young line of defense.
Â
"She has gone through a lot with the national team and is still involved in the system, so she knows what we know in that sense. Off the field she is such a good mentor to help us as defenders," said Travers.
Â
"Cameron Roller has been there to lead the backline," said Coughlin. "She has done a good job making sure that we are prepared for high intensity games."
Â
One of the appeals of playing soccer at Duke is the team's culture. The comradery of the group plays an important role in the squad's longstanding success, creating a positive environment for the newcomers and maintaining standards set in previous years.
Â
"Our culture is so good on our team and that's one of the main reasons I chose Duke," added Travers. "It shows on and off the field. I see it every day during practice or when we go to lunch together. It gives me reassurance about my choice to come here."
Â
"The culture at Duke is special, everyone is so driven, it is great to be around so many like-minded people. It's a great environment to get to be a part of," added Vapensky.
Â
Playing alongside familiar faces and understanding each other's strengths has given the group a clear advantage in their first season as collegiate athletes. Displaying maturity beyond their years, the young members of the Duke squad continue to make a meaningful impact as the 2025 season progresses.
Â
"It's exhilarating," said King. "Learning to live and operate in an environment we are not used to has been really fun. My confidence has grown a lot throughout the season, I am more comfortable distributing and communicating."
Â
"Coming in together gave us more confidence to be ourselves. We can have each other's backs because we know each other's tendencies," added Coughlin.
Â
With the collective goal of winning a championship, the rookie Blue Devils are focused on reaching their full potential and contributing to the team's success. As they gain experience and build confidence, the blend of developing youth and talented veterans on the Duke squad poses a formidable threat to their opponents.
Â
Duke will next take the pitch Thursday, Oct. 30 for senior day as the seventh-ranked Blue Devils host Clemson at 7 p.m. The match will be aired live on ACC Network Extra.Â
Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC".
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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