Duncan to play soccer for MAC

Poplar Bluff Lady Mules soccer player Cori Duncan will get the opportunity of her dreams to showcase her skills at the next level as she signs up to continue her soccer career.

Accompanied by her teammates and family, Duncan signed her National Letter of Intent to play soccer at Mineral Area College to become the newest member of the Lady Cardinals soccer squad.

Duncan said It’s crazy to think she will play college soccer next year. It’s always been a dream of hers, so to be able to accomplish something that she wasn’t sure was going to happen is unexplainable. Being surrounded by her family and friends during this big moment was everything Duncan could ask for.

“The moment felt perfect,” Duncan said. “I am beyond thankful for all of my supporters. My family and friends will always have a special place in my heart, so to have them there just made it extra special.”

Last season, Duncan aided the Lady Mules to a 12-8 record on the season and will be a four-year letterman heading into her senior season. Duncan contributed to the squad with eight goals and did a solid job setting up her teammates with 25 assists.

Not only did Duncan get the job done on the soccer field, but she also put that same energy towards her school work and other extracurricular activities. Duncan currently has a GPA of 11.333 while being ranked 21 of 286 in her class and was crowned the 2023-2024 Winter Homecoming Queen.

Duncan plans to major in nursing and then eventually become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

When deciding on where to continue her soccer career, being close to home was one of the perks Duncan had in mind when she selected Mineral Area. It will also be a place where she will be able to see some familiar faces on campus.

“I’m really excited about just the new aspect of soccer,” Duncan said. “I know it will be a big change of pace and a whole new world, but I cannot wait for it. I love how it’s close to home. I also love that one of my previous teammates is playing there, and I think those two things really pulled me in to go there.”

When the moment finally arrives when Duncan can step onto the Lady Cardinals soccer field, she already has some thoughts on what she would like to accomplish. One of those goals is to share all her big moments with her new teammates.

“I’m excited for the family I’ll get to join and make memories with,” she said. “I would say one of my goals is to be able to balance both school and soccer. Another goal is to hopefully be able to make some big plays for MAC.”

As Duncan gets ready for her final season as a member of the Lady Mules, she plans to leave it all on the soccer field, leaving no room for regrets. Though Duncan has one more season ahead of her, there are plenty of things she’s going to miss about playing for the Lady Mules.

“I’ll miss coach (Rusty) Crafton and having my dad with me as a coach,” Duncan said. “It’s something I think I took for granted, but now that I only have one more season, it’s kind of hitting me. I know that Coach Crafton and my dad both care so much about our team, and I will miss them beyond measure. I’ll miss my teammates who l’ve played with my entire life with. We’ve all created some of the best memories together, and I’ll cherish them forever.”