The Duke field hockey program is thrilled to welcome five newcomers to the Blue Devil family this fall. The group hails from three different states – Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut – and two countries – Germany and England.
Over the coming weeks, we will profile each of the incoming Blue Devils, starting with Madison Beach, hailing from the Windy City.
Pam Bustin on Beach "I am excited to announce Madison Beach as an official Duke Blue Devil! Training and playing under the elite tutelage from Windy City Club owner, her mom, and '96 Olympian Katie Beach, Madison's well-developed hockey skills and game sense are equally matched by her competitive drive. She can move at speed with the ball as well as distribute the ball from the pocket. We look forward to including her smooth style of play to our already strong and versatile midfield. I cannot wait to watch how quickly Madi adjusts to the speed and power of Division I field hockey and how she will grow by competing daily with her Duke teammates. Madi understands what it means to belong to a team and the standards necessary to succeed as a team. Welcome Madison – Let's Go!"
Coming to Durham from Northbrook, Illinois, Beach played her field hockey for Glenbrook North High School and the Windy City Field Hockey Club.
Beach brings with her a long list of accolades, including being named the IFHHSA Illinois Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023. A four-year starter at center midfield for the Spartans, Beach finished her high school career with 290 career points from 107 goals and 76 assists in 80 games. Beach is a three-time IHSFHA all-state first-team selection and garnered the 2021 Illinois High School Outstanding Player Award following an abbreviated season due to COVID-19.
Following a shortened freshman campaign in the spring of 2021, Beach turned in a stellar sophomore season the following fall as she earned the first of her three all-state first team accolades as well as the team's Most Valuable Player award. In 2022, Beach captured her first Max Field Hockey and NFHCA All-America recognition, garnering second-team honors while leading the Spartans to a runner-up finish in the state championship. She scored 38 goals as a junior and finished with a 5.2 points per game average for Glenbrook. A two-year team captain, Beach capped her scholastic career with a state title and NFHCA All-America first team recognition.
Playing her club hockey with Windy City Field Hockey Club, Beach most recently helped the club to a third-place finish in the top division at the Sunshine Showcase and a ninth-place showing at the 2023 National Club Championships. A mainstay in the USA Field Hockey program, the star midfielder took part in the 2023 Senior Nexus Championship and recently was invited to the USA Field Hockey U-21 Selection Camp. Beach traveled to Netherlands, Belgium and Germany with the U-18 National Team.
Beach also ran cross country for Glenbrook as a freshman, ranking among the top-six runners on the team and qualifying individually for regionals and sectionals.
Get to Know Madison What is your favorite thing about home? Getting to spend time with my family and friends.
What Taylor Swift era would you be and why? I would be fearless because it is a mix of pop and country and I love both of those types of music.
Where is the best place field hockey has taken you? South Africa
Other than hockey, what is your favorite summer Olympic sport or event? Tennis
What is your go-to coffee or drink order? I don't like coffee, but I love the strawberry acai refresher from Starbucks.
What's your spirit animal and why? Golden Retriever because they are super friendly and social. I love hanging out with my friends and strive to be a good person.
If you could be any animal for one day, what would it be? I would want to be a dolphin because I would get to explore the ocean for the day and see what life is like underwater.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils field hockey, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFH".
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