Duke Lacroix

Markhus "Duke" Lacroix (born October 14, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a full-back for Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the USL Championship.

Duke Lacroix
Personal information
Full name Markhus Lacroix
Date of birth (1993-10-14) 14 October 1993
Place of birth New Egypt, New Jersey, United States
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Full back, Winger
Team information
Current team
 Colorado Springs Switchbacks
Number 14
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 Penn Quakers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2013 Ocean City Nor'easters 21 (4)
2015–2016 Indy Eleven 34 (3)
2017 Orange County SC 5 (2)
2018–2019 Reno 1868 59 (4)
2020 Charlotte Independence 16 (0)
2021–2022 Sacramento Republic 60 (2)
2023– Colorado Springs Switchbacks 23 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 21, 2023

Career

Youth

Lacroix grew up in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township, New Jersey. He attended the Lawrenceville School, where he played soccer and ran track.[1] The native of New Egypt, N.J., attended The Lawrenceville School, where he played four years of soccer and ran three years of track his high school, his tenure as a runner including a 4x400 relay win at the prestigious Penn Relays. He was a member of the U.S. Under-14 and Under-15 Boys National Teams and was also a member of the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team player pool following his time in New Jersey's Olympic Development Program.

He played four years of college soccer at the University of Pennsylvania between 2011 and 2014.[2] While at the University of Pennsylvania, the two-time captain served as one of only three players in school history to receive four All-Ivy League honors (First-team honoree in 2013 & 2014, Second-team in 2012 and Honorable Mention in 2011). He was also the only Quakers player ever to be named both the Ivy League's Rookie of the Year (2011) and an Ivy League Player of the Year (Offensive POY in 2013). Lacroix graduated with the third most appearances in Penn history with 68, during which he racked up the fifth most points with 65, coming from 25 goals and 15 assists – including seven goals and an Ivy League-best six assists as a senior in 2014. While in college, Lacroix also appeared for Premier Development League side Ocean City Nor'easters in 2012 and 2013.[3]

Professional

Lacroix signed for North American Soccer League side Indy Eleven on May 21, 2015.[4] He made his first appearance for the club in a 0–2 loss to Louisville City FC in the US Open Cup on May 27, 2015. His first goal for the club was the game-winning goal in a 3–0 victory over FC Edmonton on June 13, 2015. He would go on to play a total of 34 games and score three goals across two seasons with the Eleven, including the 2016 NASL Goal of the Year.[5] The following season, Lacroix signed to the United Soccer League side Orange County Soccer Club on March 15, 2017.[6] The following April, he signed for Reno 1868 FC in the United Soccer League.[7] Lacroix played two seasons in Reno as a left back. He started 34 games in his second season, amassing 3,060 minutes played for the club. For the 2020 season, Lacroix signed to the United Soccer League side Charlotte Independence as a left back.[8]

On December 8, 2020, Lacroix signed with Sacramento Republic FC.[9]

Following the 2022 season, it was announced Lacroix would join USL Championship side Colorado Springs Switchbacks for the 2023 season.[10]

International career

Born in the United States, Lacroix is of Haitian descent. He was called up to the Haiti national football team for a set of 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League matches in September 2023.[11]

References
  1. "Indy Eleven Sign Striker Duke Lacroix; Speedy Univ. of Pennsylvania product brings roster to 23 players". Indy Eleven. May 21, 2015. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  2. "Duke Lacroix Bio". pennathletics.com. Penn Athletics. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  3. "Markhus "Duke" Lacroix". oceancityfc.com. Ocean City Football Club. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  4. "Indy Eleven Sign Striker Duke Lacroix". indyeleven.com. Indy Eleven. May 21, 2015. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  5. "Indy Eleven - Roster - Duke Lacroix". indyeleven.com. Indy Eleven. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015.
  6. "Orange County SC Sign Forward Duke Lacroix". orangecountysoccer.com. Orange County SC. March 15, 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  7. "Duke Lacroix Inks Deal With Reno 1868 FC". reno1868fc.com. Reno 1868 FC. April 19, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  8. "Independence Scoop Speedy, Championship Leftback". charlotteindependence.com. Charlotte Independence. February 10, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  9. "REPUBLIC FC ADD VERSATILE DEFENDER DUKE LACROIX". SacRepublicFC.com. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  10. USLChampionship com Staff (December 14, 2022). "Switchbacks bring aboard defender Duke Lacroix". USL Championship.
  11. hugh.johnson@gazette.com, Hugh Johnson (September 6, 2023). "Switchbacks sign defender Delentz Pierre as "Duke" Lacroix, Romario Williams are tabbed for international duty". Colorado Springs Gazette.
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