Gloucester Catholic soccer coach: Duffy a gem

Gloucester Catholic has had one of the top girls' soccer programs, in South Jersey and statewide, for some time. So when coach Kate Ormsby recently made a statement about senior midfielder Chelsea Duffy, it carried some weight.

"She does it all and is as complete a player as we've had in the program," Ormsby said.

Now that is some statement, especially since the Rams have produced one powerhouse after another.

Gloucester Catholic has won five state titles since 1997.

The Rams last won the state title in 2007, when they defeated Immaculate Heart Academy, 3-0, in the state Non-Public A final.

Duffy was a sophomore on that team and a major contributor to the title. Now, as Gloucester Catholic competes in Non-Public B this year, she hopes to end her career on a winning note.

"The expectations are always high here, and our goal is to win a state championship," Duffy said.

Again the Rams will be expected to be among the elite in South Jersey. Gloucester Catholic should be extremely strong on defense, especially with senior marking backs Tori Dott and Paige Maloney.

The key for the Rams (and most other teams) will be developing players who can score. Duffy will likely have to approach or even surpass her output from last year, when she scored 18 goals and was an Inquirer first-team all-South Jersey selection.

At least she enters this season with one less distraction than many top players. In December, Duffy made an oral commitment to attend the University of Delaware. NCAA rules prohibit a soccer player from signing a letter of intent until Feb. 3. A school can't comment on a recruit until he or she signs.

"I think Delaware is getting a steal," Ormsby said. "I think at the next level, her game will continue to grow."

Duffy said that Delaware offered what she was looking for. She liked the combination of academics and athletics, in addition to the location.

"It had everything I was looking for and it also isn't too far," said Duffy, who said that St. John's and Providence were among the other schools she was considering. "I'm very excited about going there."

Even though Duffy plays midfield in high school, she said she would likely be a defender in college. She also plays defense for her high-powered club team, FC Delco of Pennsylvania.

Besides winning a state title, she hopes that Gloucester Catholic earns a spot in the South Jersey Coaches Tournament, which consists of 16 of the area's top teams.

And then, of course, there is a division title to shoot for as well. The Rams are the defending Tri-County Diamond Division champions.

Gloucester Catholic is coming off a 17-2 season and was No. 5 in the final Inquirer South Jersey rankings. For most schools that would be a dream season, but the Rams, fell to Red Bank Catholic, 1-0, in the South Jersey Non-Public A semifinals.

"It's tough in the playoffs because you are one and done," Duffy said. "This year we're hoping for a different ending."

During her career, Duffy has been known to produce at the most opportune times. She is not somebody who holds on to the ball long, and her decision-making is as impressive as her ball skills.

"I've not seen a player who has the ability to take over a game the way she does," Ormsby said. "As a coach, you couldn't ask for more from a player."