June 7, 2005

DURHAM, N.C.-- Duke Women's Soccer Head Coach Robbie Church announced on Tuesday that senior's Carolyn Ford and Katie Seibert and junior Darby Kroyer have been named tri-captains for the 2005 season, which were selected by a team-wide vote.

"I think it was a great choice," said Church. "We have a lot of capable young ladies on our team that can lead. The team should be commended on their choices of captains and all three of them will do a great job of leading us, both on and off the field."

Hailing from Bethesda, Md., Ford returns to the captain ranks as the center back, after serving as co-captain with then-senior Casey McCluskey last season. One of Duke's best defenders, she has started every game in her collegiate career and currently ranks fourth on Duke's career assists chart with 10.

"Carolyn received votes from everybody out there," said Church. "It's phenomenal. It tells us that the team likes her leadership style and they like what she provides."

An All-America defender from Downingtown, Pa., Seibert is known as one of the top scoring defenders in the nation. Despite playing with a multitude of injuries, she anchored a defensive corps that recorded 12 shutouts last year.

Church described Seibert as, "One of our most dynamic players who is ready to step into the leadership role. Kate is excited about the opportunity and being a leader."

A product of San Ramon, Calif., Kroyer has developed into a top-flight midfielder after two years with the Blue Devils. Ranking sixth on the team last year with five goals and three assists for 13 points, she is one of the true leaders on the team.

"I think at the end of last year we saw Darby really take some huge strides, some huge steps, going from just being a good player to being a really elite level player," said Church.

The Blue Devils return 10 of 11 starters and 24 letterwinners in all from a squad that rolled up a 15-8 record last year and advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. In Church's fifth year with the team, Duke hopes to build on the momentum of one of its best seasons in recent memory.

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