Soccer Adds Colombian Defender Valentina Duque To Roster
September 16, 2016 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. – With the 2016 season in full swing, head coach Aaron Gordon added to Mississippi State soccer's future with the announcement of Bogota, Colombia native Valentina Duque joining the Bulldog roster.
Duque will not participate in contact drills until the spring, due to an ACL injury suffered before joining the Maroon and White. The injury took place during Duque's time with the U-20 Colombian National Team in March, while playing in a friendly against the Colombian National Team who was preparing for its match against the U.S. National Team in the upcoming 2016 Olympics.
"We're excited to announce Valentina joining our squad, she's a great player and has even better character," Gordon said. "Val is a dynamic defensive player who is fast and tough on the tackle. She'll make a great addition to our roster in the spring when she is able to play."
The 5-foot-4 defender from Bogota comes to Starkville following her stint on the U-20 Colombian National Team. Duque, a 17-year-old at the time, was one of the youngest members of the U-20 squad as she spent two years competing with Colombia's best young soccer talent. In 2014 she was also a member of the U-17 Colombian National Team.
"I'm so happy to join MSU and I look forward to getting out on the field and play with this incredible team," Duque said. "Coach Gordon, the staff and the girls make it feel like a family and I loved the idea of playing in the SEC. I knew that to be the best, I had to compete against the best and that's the opportunity MSU gives me. It's unbelievable how something I've always dreamed of has turned into a reality."
Duque was also an active member in the community back home, teaching English to children and participating in various recycling campaigns. Her efforts were rewarded after Duque was honored with the Environmental Conscience and Sense of Belonging awards in 2014.
In addition to soccer Duque also participated in ballet, skating, swimming and tennis. The incoming freshman plans to major in chemical engineering at MSU.
Up Next
The Bulldogs return to action this Sunday, as MSU hosts Vanderbilt for an ESPNU matchup at 2 p.m. CT.
Social Media:
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Duque will not participate in contact drills until the spring, due to an ACL injury suffered before joining the Maroon and White. The injury took place during Duque's time with the U-20 Colombian National Team in March, while playing in a friendly against the Colombian National Team who was preparing for its match against the U.S. National Team in the upcoming 2016 Olympics.
"We're excited to announce Valentina joining our squad, she's a great player and has even better character," Gordon said. "Val is a dynamic defensive player who is fast and tough on the tackle. She'll make a great addition to our roster in the spring when she is able to play."
The 5-foot-4 defender from Bogota comes to Starkville following her stint on the U-20 Colombian National Team. Duque, a 17-year-old at the time, was one of the youngest members of the U-20 squad as she spent two years competing with Colombia's best young soccer talent. In 2014 she was also a member of the U-17 Colombian National Team.
"I'm so happy to join MSU and I look forward to getting out on the field and play with this incredible team," Duque said. "Coach Gordon, the staff and the girls make it feel like a family and I loved the idea of playing in the SEC. I knew that to be the best, I had to compete against the best and that's the opportunity MSU gives me. It's unbelievable how something I've always dreamed of has turned into a reality."
Duque was also an active member in the community back home, teaching English to children and participating in various recycling campaigns. Her efforts were rewarded after Duque was honored with the Environmental Conscience and Sense of Belonging awards in 2014.
In addition to soccer Duque also participated in ballet, skating, swimming and tennis. The incoming freshman plans to major in chemical engineering at MSU.
Up Next
The Bulldogs return to action this Sunday, as MSU hosts Vanderbilt for an ESPNU matchup at 2 p.m. CT.
Social Media:
For more information on the Mississippi State soccer program, follow "HailStateSOC" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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