Former Blue Devil Laura Duncan Named Head Women's Soccer Coach at New Haven

Former All-Conference women's soccer player Laura Duncan was named the head women's soccer coach at the University of New Haven on Tuesday. Duncan was a standout player for the Blue Devils and a member of three Northeast Conference championship teams from 2002-04. She is the second Central alum to hold that position at New Haven, joining former men's soccer Dave Clarke, who is now the head women's coach at Quinnipiac.

Link to Full New Haven Release

(Release courtesy of the University of New Haven)

University of New Haven Director of Athletics, Deborah Chin is pleased to announce that Laura Duncan has been named the new head women's soccer coach. The fifth coach in program history, Duncan comes to UNH with over five years of Division I coaching experience at Fairfield University.

Most recently, Duncan served five seasons as an assistant for the Fairfield University women's soccer team. Duncan was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program, recruiting and game-day and practice coordination. While at Fairfield, the Stags made two NCAA Tournament appearances (2005 & 2008) and twice were crowned the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Champions (2005 & 2008). During her tenure, the Stags made five-straight postseason appearances, while two student-athletes earned MAAC Player of the Year honors.

Duncan graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2005 and was a four-year letter winner for the Blue Devils. She helped Central Connecticut to three consecutive Northeast Conference Championships and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

Duncan saw action in 57 games during her collegiate career. As a junior, the defender helped the Blue Devils to 16 wins, including 10 shutouts and a 1-0 victory over Boston College in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. Following that season, she was named Third Team All-Northeast Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, the SoccerBuzz All-Northeast Region First Team, and New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association First Team All-New England. During her career she was also a two-time NEC First Team All-Conference selection.

"We are very excited to welcome Laura to the Charger family. During our search, it was important for the committee to find a well-rounded candidate who could continue the success of our women's soccer program," said Chin. "We believe her exceptional background makes her a perfect fit for the program."

A native of Seaford, England, Duncan also serves as a head coach for the Connecticut Football Club (CFC) U12/U18 Impact. She currently resides in Hamden, Conn.