SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine— Patrick Duddy is Southern Maine Community College’s student-athlete spotlight of October. A three-year member of the men’s soccer program at SMCC, Duddy hails from Sedgwick, Maine as a graduate of Deer Isle-Stonington High School.
A three-sport athlete at Deer Isle-Stonington, Duddy was named a two-time Penobscot Valley Conference (PVC) All-Star on the soccer pitch. As a walk-on in 2014, Duddy made the SMCC soccer team as a midfielder and would go on to start all 13 games for the SeaWolves in his rookie season. In the same fall, Duddy enlisted in the Army and, following soccer season, took three semesters off for deployment.
At 20-years-old, Duddy served two tours in Kuwait and Iraq as part of a six-man Engineer Support Team, otherwise known as EST6. In reflecting on his time overseas, Duddy commented, “It was a blessing in disguise. This experience for me changed my perspective on life and what I wanted to make out of a career. I met so many good people and would be happy to go back.” Now enlisted three years, Duddy continues to work as an engineer for a unit stationed in New Hampshire.
Upon returning to the United States in 2016, Duddy re-enrolled at SMCC to continue his education and play soccer—a season of accolades for the sophomore. A midfielder converted goalkeeper, Duddy excelled at his new position. He registered a Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC)-best 110 saves and a 1.26 goals against average (GAA); moreover he ranked third in the nation in save percentage (.866) leading his team to the YSCC championship game. Duddy was selected to the YSCC All-Conference Team and named a United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Second-Team All-American the same season.
In the offseason, Duddy finished in second place in the Army Best Warrior competition held in Fort Dix, N.J. and returned this semester as a junior and co-captain of the men’s soccer team. A Criminal Justice major, Duddy intends to graduate in the fall of 2018 with the goal of becoming a police officer in Maine.
In his third year at SMCC, Duddy had a lot to say about his experience as a SeaWolf. “Coach Dougher and the athletics staff have been hugely supportive as a positive influence in my life. My time as a student-athlete has taught me accountability, goal setting, and what it means to be a leader. The emphasis put on academics will be something I look back to and credit when I find success after college.”
Among his fondest memories as a SeaWolf, Duddy references the opportunity to extend his competitive playing career and to be a part of a family, still staying in contact with teammates from his first season.
This season the SeaWolves have played to a 2-7-1 record, with three regular season games remaining. Duddy has recorded 65 saves and a 2.60 goals against average.
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