Duke field hockey is adding some serious talent to its roster this spring, as head coach Pam Bustin welcomes two key transfers: goalkeeper Alessia Cucito and midfielder Callie Rogers. Both players bring ACC-level experience and a competitive edge that should immediately elevate the Blue Devils during offseason training.
Let’s start with Cucito, a Raleigh native who’s coming home after two seasons at Louisville. After redshirting her freshman year, she saw action in seven games last season, logging 154 minutes in the cage.
Her 1.17 goals against average and .625 save percentage point to a keeper with solid fundamentals and room to grow. She notched her first career shutout in a dominant 6-0 win over Bellarmine and earned starts against both Bellarmine and North Carolina - no small feat in the ACC.
Cucito’s return to North Carolina is more than just a homecoming. She’s no stranger to Duke’s field hockey culture, having grown up and trained in the area before college.
That familiarity, combined with her drive to earn a Duke degree and sharpen her skills in one of the nation’s top programs, makes her a strong fit for what Bustin calls the “Duke True” standard. Her leadership, energy, and technical ability should be a valuable asset in the net as the Blue Devils gear up for spring training.
Before college, Cucito was a standout at Cary Academy, where she helped lead the team to three straight conference titles. She earned all-state honors in her final three high school seasons and competed in four consecutive Nexus Championships from 2021 to 2024 - a testament to her consistency and high-level experience.
On the other end of the field, Callie Rogers brings versatility and attacking flair to the midfield. The Richmond, Virginia product played in 18 games for Maryland last season, starting 12 of them and contributing two assists. Her time in the Big Ten gave her exposure to elite competition, and now she’ll bring that experience to the ACC.
According to Bustin, Rogers is already settling in quickly - both in the classroom and on the turf. She’s jumped into Duke’s training environment with the kind of intensity and commitment that coaches love to see. Her attacking instincts and competitive mindset are expected to bolster the Blue Devils’ front-line options, especially as the team begins to shape its identity for the fall.
Rogers’ résumé speaks for itself. She was a five-year varsity player at the Collegiate School and played club hockey with both Richmond Panthers United and Relentless Field Hockey Club. Her accolades include being named the 2023 MAX Field Hockey Virginia Player of the Year and earning All-American honors in both 2022 and 2023.
With both Cucito and Rogers now in the fold, Duke is poised to make the most of its spring training window. The pair will be hitting the turf and weight room alongside their new teammates as the Blue Devils begin to lay the foundation for next season. Spring matchups kick off in March, and with these two transfers in the mix, Duke’s offseason just got a lot more interesting.