Five Duke Field Hockey Players Earn Spots on U.S. U21 Training Squad
There’s a strong Blue Devil presence heading to Charlotte later this month - and it’s not for basketball. Five Duke field hockey players have been named to the U.S. U21 training squad, a key step toward representing the country at the Junior Pan American Championship in April.
The group includes a mix of new faces and rising talent: transfers Callie Rogers and Alessia Cucito, sophomore Ashley Stockdale, and freshmen Shae Wozniak and Sofia Fidalgo Schioppa. All five will report to Charlotte, North Carolina, for a U21 selection camp as they look to earn a spot on the roster for international competition.
The selection camp is just the first checkpoint. Head coach Ange Bradley and the U21 staff will trim the roster down ahead of another training camp scheduled for March 6-8, also in Charlotte.
From there, the final squad will prepare for the Junior Pan American Championship, set for April 7-18 in Santiago, Chile. Later this summer, the U21 team is also slated to compete in the 4 Nations tournament in England from July 7-15.
Let’s take a closer look at the Blue Devils who made the cut.
Transfers Making Their Mark
Callie Rogers and Alessia Cucito may be new to Durham, but they’re already turning heads. Rogers comes in from Maryland, while Cucito arrives via Louisville - two programs with strong field hockey pedigrees.
Their inclusion on the U21 squad says a lot about the immediate impact they’re expected to have at Duke. Both bring high-level experience and should bolster a roster that’s already trending upward.
Stockdale’s Sophomore Surge
Ashley Stockdale made a name for herself this past season, stepping into a starting role and not looking back. The sophomore attacker started all 21 games and tallied four goals and an assist.
Her speed and aggressiveness in the final third made her a constant threat, and she’s showing no signs of slowing down. Her selection to the U21 squad is a well-earned nod to her breakout year.
Freshman Duo Already Delivering
Shae Wozniak and Sofia Fidalgo Schioppa wasted no time making their presence felt in their first year with the program.
Fidalgo Schioppa was a central figure in Duke’s midfield, starting 18 of 21 games and scoring two goals, including a memorable game-winner against Louisville. She’s the kind of player who connects all the dots - linking the defense to the attack, controlling tempo, and showing poise beyond her years.
Wozniak, meanwhile, missed some time early in the season but made up for it with her play down the stretch. She finished her freshman campaign with four goals and an assist, including a big-time score against North Carolina in the NCAA Championship quarterfinal. Her knack for stepping up in big moments didn’t go unnoticed.
Duke’s Offseason Already Underway
Back on campus, the Blue Devils are wasting no time getting back to work. Offseason training is in full swing, with sessions on the turf and in the weight room already underway. The team’s spring schedule kicks off in March, with a slate of exhibition games designed to keep the momentum rolling.
But for Rogers, Cucito, Stockdale, Wozniak, and Fidalgo Schioppa, the next few weeks are about more than just spring ball - they’re about chasing a spot on the international stage. And if their recent performances are any indication, they’ll be right in the mix.