Howard women's soccer to face Duke in NCAA tournament in quest to continue historic season

WASHINGTON — Howard University's women's soccer team has already made history this season. The Bison beat FDU, 2-1, over the weekend to earn its first Northeast Conference tournament title in program history. 

The team watched and learned its NCAA tournament fate together at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street Monday afternoon. Howard will face regional top seed Duke in the opening round on Friday at 6pm in Durham, N.C. 

But overcoming adversity is nothing new for this Bison squad. The team started the season off 2-4-4 and capped off the regular season winning seven games for an 11-4-5 overall record. 

"From where we started to where we are now, it's been night and day," explained Howard head coach Brent Leiba, "to see this team here, to celebrate them, I couldn't be any prouder."

Leiba grew up around Howard University's campus. Both of his parents went to HU, so he said coming back to lead the women's soccer team in 2009 was a no-brainer. 

Likewise, senior forward Melea Earley, who was named the NEC Tournament MVP, says her squad doesn't shy away from challenges. 

"Doing a lot of damage in a new conference coming in, I think it shows the fact that Howard women's soccer [team] is a force to be reckoned with. We are here doing everything that everyone else across the nation is as well," said Earley. 

Several of the players say they understand the significance of representing an HBCU program in the NCAA tournament. 

"For us being an HBCU, hopefully we can get more young black girls feeling like they can do anything," explained Earley, "they can be just as good as their counterparts in playing sports as well."

Earley, whose father is a Howard alum, said she recognizes the importance and impact of representing Howard on a national stage.

"I have a few girls from California that have reached out to me, and this is something they've always dreamed of," she said, "knowing that I could do this because this is something I've dreamed of, that's just amazing to me to be that type of role model for someone."