Former Catalina and Pueblo soccer standout Luz Duarte helped lead the FC Tucson Women to an undefeated championship season this past summer and the organization’s most valuable player signed a professional contract to play for Puma Femenil this week.
¡LLEGÓ LUZ A CANTERA! 🐾🔥
Con una gran velocidad, buena técnica dentro del área rival y con hambre de goleadora, la delantera mexicana Luz Duarte se integra a nuestras Pumas para reforzar el ataque auriazul. BIENVENIDA. 👋
📲: https://t.co/KDs0tpxB1G#ComoDebeSer #SoyDePumas pic.twitter.com/b28BxFl30Q
— PumasMX Femenil (@PumasMXFemenil) August 6, 2021
“Working hard when nobody is watching shows your dedication,” Duarte said. “Getting up after a fall and coming back stronger than ever shows your resilience. Believing something great will happen even when you can’t see it, feel it, or touch it shows your faith. I believe I’m a combination of all three. Never stop working, never stop fighting, never stop believing.”
The club released a statement on Duarte’s scoring ability and they found a gem with Duarte scoring 12 goals this past season, second most in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).
“I am beyond proud of the player, leader and person Luz has become,” said her FC Tucson Women head coach Kelly Pierce. “I’ve known her for many years and it’s important to know that she’s not just an amazing soccer player, she is so much more than that. She is pure, kindhearted, thoughtful of those around her, respectful, great work ethic, coachable, and obviously extremely talented. Can’t say I’m surprised by her success, it’s well deserved and I’m excited to see where she goes. She truly deserves this opportunity!”
Duarte was a member of the Mexican Under-17 National Team, competing at the 2012 World Championships in 2012 and the World Championships on the Under-20 team in 2014.
Duarte starts training this weekend.
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014, he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017, a 2019 AZ Education News award winner and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. He was the first in Arizona to write about high school beach volleyball and high school girls wrestling. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy is the Southern Arizona voting member of the Ed Doherty Award, recognizing the top football player in Arizona, and he was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Andy was named an Honorary Flowing Wells Caballero in 2019 and he is a member of the Amphi COVID-19 Blue Ribbon Committee. Contact Andy Morales at amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com
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