Bella DeFabbo joined the Duquesne coaching staff as assistant coach in February of 2025.
In her first season as an assistant coach with the Dukes, DeFabbo helped guide the program to an overall mark of 12-5-2 (.684), including a 7-3 (.700) mark in the Atlantic 10. Duquesne tied a school record for victories, while the seven wins in conference play was just one shy of the most in program history. DeFabbo was instrumental in the development of the program's goalkeepers, including Ali Hughes, who set a new program standard for goalkeeper wins (12) while logging all 1,730 minutes in net during the year.
DeFabbo returned to the Bluff as an assistant coach after a four-year playing career for the Dukes as a goalkeeper from 2018 to 2021 and spent two years in goalkeeper training at the development stage for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of Duquesne women’s soccer once again,” DeFabbo said. “I’m incredibly grateful for the role Duquesne has played in my growth as both a player and a person. I look forward to joining this amazing coaching staff and helping coach the next generation of Dukes.”
During her career with the Dukes, DeFabbo, a native of Cranberry Township, Pa., appeared in five matches, including two starts, and registered 10 saves. She is a 2022 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Nursing and is a registered nurse at UPMC.
“I’m excited to have Bella come back to the Bluff,” head coach Jessica Giegucz said. “She has knowledge of Duquesne women’s soccer as a former successful member of the goalkeeper core during her collegiate career. Bella will work primarily with the goalkeepers and the backline and will work to elevate the success of the goalkeepers with her coaching background, relatability in that position and her IQ of the game from the defending side of the field. Most importantly, Bella has a great ability to create trust and professionalism within relationships and I am confident that our team will benefit from her experience.”
